On the sunlit stretches of the Venice Beach Boardwalk, an extraordinary figure named Lionel Powell, also known as "Treeman," captured the attention of onlookers on Sunday, May 12, 2024. Towering at 10 feet, thanks to his stilts, he interacted with passersby, greeting them, engaging in photo ops, and spreading a profound message with his unique presence.
Powell, embodying a walking, talking tree, channels his persona to delve into themes of human nature and survival. Beyond his captivating appearances, Treeman’s backstory touches on deeper social issues - he is navigating the harsh realities of homelessness and seeking personal reconciliation with his past.
Venice Beach, California, known for its vibrant culture and spirit of expression, serves as the backdrop for Treeman's mission. Through stiltwalking and other forms of creative movement, he experiences what neuroscientists refer to as a "flow state," eliciting a sense of well-being and positive feedback from interactions that are mutually enriching.
Despite his visibility and the joy he brings, Powell faces personal struggles. Living without a home in Venice Beach, he embodies a unique facet of social activism, striving to uplift others while also confronting his own fragmented life story. His journey from a challenging childhood in Brooklyn’s Marcy Projects - a place he shared close proximity to the famed rapper Jay-Z - to his days as a stilt performer at Disney World, reveals a life marked by drastic highs and lows.
Today, estranged from his family and navigating homelessness, Treeman's experiences have become a crucial part of his message and identity. As he works to break a two-decade-long cycle of homelessness, his story is a poignant reminder of the societal challenges many face and the resilience required to overcome them.
Lionel Powell’s life is not just a story of individual survival but also a call to action. By sharing his journey, he aims to lead and inspire others who are similarly affected, facilitating pathways out of homelessness and advocating for social change. Through community engagement and his artistic expression, Treeman continues to be a symbol of hope and transformation along the Venice Beach Boardwalk, reminding us all of our intrinsic connection to nature and each other.
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Fabian Lewkowicz is an award-winning Santa Monica-based professional photojournalist and press photographer, and the creator of the photo blog, Santa Monica Close Up. With years of experience as a staff photographer for several media outlets including the Santa Monica Daily Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica Observer, and the Santa Monica Corsair, Fabian has captured some of the most iconic moments of Santa Monica.
Fabian's photographs have been exhibited in a variety of settings, including museums, art galleries, hospitals, department stores, banks, fire stations, police stations, commercial buildings, amusement parks, offices, and homes. His photography captures the essence of Santa Monica, from its beautiful landscapes and stunning sunsets to its unique culture and diverse community.
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TAGS: Photojournalism, Photojournalist, Documentary, Cinema Verite, Fly-on-the-wall, Observational Photography, Press Photography
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