Bloodroot — a 25-foot fabricated steel framework inset with backlit opalescent glass — joined the Dan Lawrie International Sculpture Collection in 2016 as the largest installation in its history. This work at Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario depicts one of Spring’s most delicate and unique native wildflowers — Sanguinaria canadensis.
Native to Eastern North America, the delicate and unique flower with blood-red sap is one of the first woodland plants to greet the Spring as it contrasts its structure with the more innocuous plants surrounding it. Also known for its medicinal, spiritual and aesthetic properties by First Nations people, it continues to maintain noteworthy historical and reverent status. The species is also found in the Artist’s native Minnesota and held special allure for him in his youth.
Special recognition goes out to Artist Sam Spiczka for his painstaking fabrication of the metalwork on this piece.
Foreground photo: Mark Zelinski
Background photo: CoBALT CONNECTS
Background photo, previous block: Chris Farias
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