Ocean, Maritime Forest, and Marsh:

Installations on Hilton Head’s Shelter Cove Trail

These three installations honor the ecosystems of Hilton Head Island, each one drawing directly from the environment and its inhabitants. Each is a tribute to a distinct ecological zone, created with imagery and data specific to the island’s biodiversity and conservation efforts. The material, glass, is central to these works. Forged from sand, it reflects and transmits the light of the day, changing as time passes. It is fragile yet resilient.

Ocean reflects conservation sites where coral is being cultivated. Sea turtles, corals, and jellies are among the animals living in this environment. Bathymetric lines and coordinates reference areas of conservation specific to the region and to Hilton Head.

Maritime Forest features oaks, pines, and soft palmettos overlaid by hawks, egrets, butterflies, and other creatures. Some of these species are threatened. Concentric rings are drawn from the cross-section of an oak, while lines from maps and environmental data tie the piece directly to this ecosystem.

Marsh depicts the delicate world of spartina grasses, birds, crawfish, ghost shrimp, turtles, and more, above and below the waterline. My goal was to create cohesive works that view these environments from both above and below.

These installations were a labor of love: Hilton Head is an incredibly special place to me. Ocean, Maritime Forest, and Marsh represent the special commitment to ecological preservation here. The plants and animals in these works sometimes go unnoticed by passersby, hiding in the grasses, among the trees, or beneath the water. I hope that these works spark a sense of wonder and curiosity about these ecologies.