(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – A new nature-themed art exhibition opens at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle this Friday.
“Of the Earth” features five large-scale sculptures made by Polish-American artist Olga Ziemska.
“Each are essentially designed for the space that they were installed in,” said Preston Bautista, Vice President of Learning and Engagement at The Morton Arboretum. “Three of them are made from materials that have been harvested across the arboretum.”
Arboretum volunteers spent several weeks laying the groundwork for creation of the unique pieces by collecting natural materials such as fallen tree branches from sugar maple, hackberry, linden, willow, elm and wild black cherry trees.
The sculptures range in size from 5-feet to 14-feet tall and 45 feet in length and explore Ziemska’s recurring theme, “We are nature.”
Bautista tells WBBM his personal favorite is titled “Ona”.
“Essentially, it's the profile of a woman and the branches sort of create her windswept hair,” he said. “And what's interesting about it, and this was a surprise to us: If you actually come around dusk, it actually glows.”
The exhibition opens to the public at noon on Friday and is included with admission.
“Of the Earth” will be on display at The Morton Arboretum through spring 2025.
For tickets, visit mortonarb.org/visit-the-arboretum.
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