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Visions of Biophilia is a community-engaged public art project I facilitated as the 2024 artist in residence at the Richmond Nature Park. This initiative was designed to foster a deep connection with both the environment and the community through the multifaceted art of photography.
I spent the year designing and conducting seasonal workshops that introduced over two-hundred participants to digital and alternative photographic methods, including chlorophyll printing, anthotypes, lumen printing, and cyanotype processes. In addition, each workshop featured a guided walk with a park scientist, providing educational insights to inspire creativity and foster environmental stewardship.
At the culmination of my residency, a 52-foot public artwork was installed at the park. This monumental piece represents a transformative year filled with enriching experiences, hard work, and meaningful connections with the community.
One of my primary ambitions in creating this mural was to develop a thoughtful and aesthetically engaging piece that centers on community involvement. The foundation of the artwork was woven together from over 200 photographic expressions created by workshop participants.
The resulting installation tells a powerful story of community engagement and highlights the geological history of Richmond Nature Park.
Flowing lines of a river and delta are depicted with inspiration sourced from satellite imagery of the Fraser River, complemented by a mountainous collage depicting its headwaters (which highlight the five photographic processes used during the sessions). Notably, the ice crystal cyanotypes symbolize the last ice age and the migration of Arctic plants that contributed to the unique peat bog ecosystem within the park. The mural serves not only as a site-specific artwork but also as an educational piece that celebrates a year of collaborative creativity in nature.
I hope it inspires all who encounter it to appreciate both our shared history and the beauty of the natural world.
Please visit the project blog to learn more.