Garden Portals
9ft L x 6ft H x 4” D. Glazed stoneware.
"Garden Portals" is a striking monumental sculpture, situated in the heart of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden's Tropical Plant Conservancy and Rare Plant House. The artwork is crafted from ceramic modular tiles that beautifully embody the native and exotic flora nurtured at Fairchild.
In creating this piece, Shapiro finds a balance between observation and preservation, aiming to highlight Florida's unique ecological setting that sustains a rich diversity of both native and exotic plant species. Moreover, the artwork acknowledges Fairchild's crucial role in enhancing South Florida's biodiversity.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, "Garden Portals" is deeply intertwined with community engagement. Shapiro employed a collaborative process in its creation, helping to raise public awareness about the local environment's captivating beauty and its inherent vulnerability. Through this unique intersection of art, ecology, and community, "Garden Portals" holds a special place as a symbol of environmental consciousness and preservation.
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“Garden Portals” on display at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, in the Tropical Conservatory and Rare Plant House. 2021.
Outdoor public workshop pressing clay textures at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.
Watch this short video that describes the project.
This community project was supported by the Miami Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Knight Foundation for its educational impact.
A series of outdoor community workshops, which included a virtual clay molding activity along with a short course in botany and local flora education for teachers in Miami-Dade County.
Participants received free family admission to Fairchild to visit the artwork that they helped to create.