'Of the Earth,' a new exhibition of large-scale sculptures opening May 26 at The Morton Arboretum
Five large-scale sculptures by Polish American artist Olga Ziemska have been created exclusively for a new exhibition, "Of the Earth," at The Morton Arboretum, opening Friday, May 26.
"Olga will bring a fresh and evocative new display to The Morton Arboretum's art exhibition program, which has enhanced the guest experience among our tree collections," said Preston Bautista, Ph.D., the Arboretum's vice president of learning and engagement.
In Polish, Ziemska means "of the earth." Her work is created from reclaimed tree branches and other natural materials gathered from various locations throughout the Arboretum's 1,700 acres.
Ziemska said that some of the Arboretum's tree-filled landscapes inspired her because they reminded her of the landscapes of Poland, where she has previously lived and regularly visits her family.
The Cleveland, Ohio-based artist said that her aim is to remind people, "Everything in life is derived from the same basic elements that form everything in nature, including ourselves. There is no separation."
It is her largest public exhibition to date.
The sculptures are made of both organic and manufactured materials, including steel and glass-fiber reinforced concrete necessary to withstand the Midwest's weather variations.
Arboretum volunteers spent several weeks laying the groundwork for creation of these pieces by collecting, pruning, and preparing natural materials, such as fallen tree branches from sugar maple, hackberry, linden, willow, elm and wild black cherry trees at the Arboretum.
Ziemska has built a career in the male-dominated art world, exploring her multiple identities as a first-generation child of Polish immigrants, an American, an artist, a woman and a human. She has exhibited and created public installations in Poland, Taiwan, Italy, South Korea, Mexico and other locations globally in a career spanning more than 20 years.
Her work entwines and melds the human body with other natural forms, which she notes, "reminds us of our own physicality of seamless connection to the earth and nature."
"The experience of art paired with nature throughout the Arboretum has been very appealing to both frequent visitors and those coming for the very first time," said Bautista. "We are continuing this approach of one-of-a-kind exhibitions aligned with the Arboretum's mission that really motivate people to get outdoors among trees and explore nature."
The exhibition will run through spring 2025. The Arboretum at 4100 Route 53 in Lisle is open daily from 7 a.m. to dusk. More information and exhibition updates are available on the Arboretum's website at mortonarb.org.
Tickets are $17, $15 for age 65 or older, or $12 for age 2 to 17. On Wednesdays, tickets are $9-$12.
The exhibition is included with member passes and general admission timed-entry tickets to the Arboretum.