Vegetable Tree
Frank humorously redesigned the “Flowering Tree” of Indian chintzes/palampores into a “Vegetable Tree”, with easily recognisable pomegranates, pears, aubergines, peppers, tomatoes and pumpkins. Rather more dubious, however, are the variegated “apricots” at the top. To achieve maximal effect and induce a spark of wonder, Frank stylises the shapes, intensifies the colours and blends natural and fantastic elements. On one of the branches, he has placed daisies and rose hips together! Growing close to the daisies, we see leaves from one of the world’s oldest tree species – Ginkgo biloba. The fan shape appealed to Frank. The design appears in several earlier prints and he returns to it time and time again.