LIFE
LIFE speaks to our original connection — an umbilical link to Source energy. Among granite outcrops it asks, Where do I stand amid the hard places of life? Golden-yellow surfaces warm the gray stone, hinting at hidden meanings that shape the life we’re living.
“There is a necessary wisdom in the give-and-take of nature….” —Dr. Suzanne Simard
LIFE, one of eight site-specific ceramic installations at Dow Gardens | May 2025 – April 2026
This totem stands amidst The Boulders to offer an intimate introspection on what we are passing by, what has passed us by. It emerges out of the artist’s inquiries into patterns of thought. Etching those ideas onto the surface of clay creates a similarity to ancient tablets, texts of information for others to discover.
LIFE is part of Nature, Energy, & Reflection, a year-long installation exploring the quiet dialogue between clay, breath, and place. Each piece was created in response to a specific site within the Gardens and is paired with a guided meditation to deepen connection and awareness. Together, the works invite visitors to tune into the subtle energies of the natural world—and the resonance within us.
Location: The Boulders
About Dow Gardens
Nestled in the heart of Midland, Michigan, Dow Gardens is a living sanctuary of cultivated beauty and wild serenity. Spanning over 100 acres, the Gardens offer a rich landscape of woodlands, streams, meadows, and meticulously tended beds that shift with the seasons.
More than just a botanical garden, Dow Gardens is a place of deep sensory engagement—where art, nature, and reflection converge. It serves as a canvas for Helen’s current site-specific installation, allowing her work to integrate with the rhythms of the natural world and offer visitors an experience that is both grounding and expansive.
Dow Gardens is open year-round and welcomes all who seek quiet wonder, beauty, and connection.