“…Contrary to the worldwide trend, … several threatened dragonflies and damselflies in South Africa are recovering, thanks to a successful country-wide program.” 1
This artwork tells the story of how the removal of alien invasive trees attracts the charismatic dragonfly to return, with other species to follow, thus restoring biodiversity. I proposed a monumental temporary sculpture, an abstract portrait of a dragonfly built out of extracted alien invasive tree trunks. It stands at the edge of the poplar forest at the Nirox sculpture garden gate. Its intended to eerily remind us that we are part of the natural system. Our decisions can make or break the future.
1 Referring to the Working for water program in Samways, M.J. 2005. Damsels get reprieve from distress. Wings. Spring 2005: 18-20.
When I met Michael Samways at a Anthropocene Dialogue at the Stellenbosch Sustainability Insitute in October 2016 he brought it to my attention that not only are these sculptural works conveying the message he has studied, but functionally they serve as very effective insect hotels. Something we need in our ecology where roads and plantations cuts off insect movement.