Now that the exhibit is public, I am so excited to share with you all one of the most intense projects that I have ever had the honor to be a part of!
Meet "Herky in the Wildflowers" - a two month long project that consumed over 170 hours of production.
As an Iowa native born and raised, I have always been in love with the quiet beauty of the state’s natural landscape. The wildflowers told a story of the seasons, with the Pasque flowers and the Prairie Dandelion signaling the end of the prolonged winter, a myriad of Phlox, Coneflowers, Lilies and Coreopsis heralding in summer, and the black-eyed Susan and Sneezeweed gracefully bowing out as the last flowers before winter’s embrace. Ever changing, these flowers told me a story of life – a tale of birth, death and rebirth encapsulated in a perpetual cycle within a diverse and breathtaking wilderness. In my art, I have always worked to capture fleeting moments, what I call atmospheric noise, those subtle nuances that surround us, often unnoticed. To many, flowers may merely be decorative elements, enhancing the landscape when in bloom. However, to truly observe a flower is to grasp the transient nature of its existence, acknowledging that its beauty is a fleeting gift, and that life itself is equally transient and beautiful.
Having photographed and drawn flowers for years in pursuit of capturing these moments, I seized the opportunity to utilize my Herky statue as a canvas to bring awareness to the ephemeral nature and beauty of Iowa wildflowers. “Herky in the Wildflowers” stands adorned in over 1000 individual flowers comprised of over one hundred varieties of native Iowa Wildflowers. At the heart of this vibrant creation is the Iowa state flower, the Prairie Rose (Rosa patrincola), featured prominently over Herky’s heart and woven throughout the entire piece. To create a visually striking contrast, I emphasized the colors of the University of Iowa, showcasing a palette of black, gold, and white.
“Herky in the Wildflowers” invites viewers to pause, appreciate, and contemplate the transient and exquisite nature of life and our remarkable state. Each bloom reflects the intricate details of Iowa’s wildflower diversity, prompting a deeper connection with the ever-changing beauty that surrounds us. Through this artistic endeavor, I aim to inspire a profound appreciation for the natural wonders of Iowa and the fleeting moments that make life truly remarkable.
Over the next month, I will be sharing so many more details - listings of all the flowers included, progress pictures and videos, and artwork that inspired the project.
The next big news coming up is the partnership with my Herky sponsor, "The House of DOTŁ’IZHI." They are hosting a fantastic event, "Flower World," and as part of this event, there will be several print runs and drawings from my series "In the Wildflowers," which inspired my Herky, exclusively available at their shop!
You can see all the amazing Herky statue at https://herkyonparade3.com/herkys/
You can find my fabulous sponsor at https://dotlizhi.com/
Stay tuned for more information!