Bay Area Plant Series: Seashore Plants

Bay Area artist Iréne Pijoan designed seven artworks that are part of the Bay Area Plant Series. The artworks were cut out of aluminum by a high-powered water jet and painted to represent a selection of native plant families. The images were chosen to evoke the mystery of living organisms and the comfort found in their beauty. The plants pictured are a cross-section of the varied Bay Area ecosystem: Algae and seashore plants borne from the ocean; ferns and the so-called fern allies (oxalis, horse tails, etc.) which grow alongside each other in moisture-rich forests; the delicate Solomon’s seal appearing in shady places; Lilacae (from the lily family) which like to bloom in springtime fields; the pale yellow evening primroses which wait until dusk to open; and Polygonacae which tend to resist the long dry summers in open terrain. This artwork was commissioned by the Alameda County Arts Commission for Highland Hospital in 2003.