Sunflower Paradoxus, 2022

This piece, fabricated from hand-twisted wire, is a memorial to one of New Mexico’s endangered flowers, the Pecos Sunflower or the Helianthus paradoxus, a species of hybrid origin. Found throughout my home of Valencia County, this special native sunflower grows only in wetland habitats. It was added to the Endangered Species Act in 1999 after decades of a decrease in population stemming from the destruction of wetlands and arroyo infilling. This work can be placed inside or outside but needs to be refinished every year or so with a clear coat rust protectant.