Nature meets art in Richmond Nature Park’s newest public artwork.
Visions of Biophilia by artist Desirée Patterson is a digitally created mural made from prints contributed by Richmond community members.
The mural is at the entrance of the Richmond Nature Park, open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The park's Nature House is also open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This artwork depicts the geological history of Richmond Nature Park in a "layered composition" focusing on the Fraser River. It does so by showing the bends and delta — a low, flat land shaped like a triangle — of the river with inspiration from satellite imagery.
Arctic plant migration during the ice age that formed Lulu Island’s habitat is also represented in the artwork using ice crystal cyanotype prints.
Community members who took part in the project’s workshops last spring produced more than 200 photographic expressions, learning about the park’s ecosystem and participating in photo-making techniques in the process. This included anthotype, cyanotype and lumen printmaking.
Patterson, who led the workshops, is a Vancouver-based artist and environmental activist who creates community-engaged art projects highlighting the connection between people and nature.
The artist promotes stewardship and preservation using lens-based and traditional media.
This project was commissioned by Richmond Public Art’s Engaging Artists in Community Program and the Richmond Nature Park Society.
For more information about the project, visit the artist’s website.
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