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Many of us have imagined seeing an image of a face or figure in the bark of a tree, in the patterns made by the leaves and shadows, or in the form of its branches. The Green Man is the artistic and iconic representation of that image, part human, part plant. History is filled with Green Man images, but very little has been written about the significance of the image. As the figure has appeared, disappeared and reappeared throughout the centuries, there is evidence to show that appearances are often linked to times of upheaval, change or environmental crisis. This emergence often goes unnoticed, is taken for granted or overlooked. The images we interact with on a daily basis are a vehicle for the way we "see" or "view" our world and thus our perception of life. This work explores driving forces behind the current reappearance of the Green Man and examines what the figure represents to us today. The study focuses on contemporary artists and proposes some answers to the ancient mystery of what the image tells us. The study also presents a body of creative work a series of paintings that have been informed and inspired by the research.

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Phyllis Araneo´s background in the visual arts (in NYC area) can be viewed at www.araneoart.com. Currently Phyllis (Lecturer/Researcher at University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia) is researching effect on behavior and attitudes of students in a first year course in sustainability and environment delivered to a multidisciplinary cohort.

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