Art That Grows From the Earth (9 Photos)
There is a unique kind of magic that happens when an artist stops trying to compete with nature and starts collaborating with it. From quiet forest goddesses to surreal illusions that appear to “pinch” the very skin of the world, these sculptures don’t just sit on the landscape—they emerge from it.
In this collection, we explore works across the globe, from the lush gardens of England to the parks of Illinois and the mountains of Switzerland. Some hold living trees gently in their palms, while others transform with the seasons, disappearing under snow only to bloom again in the spring. All of them invite us to see the earth not just as a setting, but as a living, breathing canvas.
More: 8 Inspiring Sculptures Seamlessly Integrated with Nature
1. Hallow — Daniel Popper (Lisle, Illinois, USA)
Daniel Popper is known for his monumental figures, but “Hallow” feels particularly intimate despite its scale. This wooden figure stands with her chest pulled open, creating a literal doorway for visitors to step through. Surrounded by blooming pink trees, the sculpture suggests that the path to nature begins by opening our own hearts to it.
More: 5 Photos of Sculpture “Hallow” By Daniel Popper
2. Mud Maid — Sue Hill (Cornwall, UK)
Resting in The Lost Gardens of Heligan, the Mud Maid is a “living” sculpture in the truest sense. Her “hair” and “skin” are made of seasonal plants and moss, meaning she changes her appearance throughout the year. She is a reminder that art in nature is never static; it grows, withers, and waits for the thaw just like the rest of the forest.
More: Mud Maid – Living sculpture by Sue and Pete Hill (5 photos and video)
3. Give — Lorenzo Quinn
Lorenzo Quinn’s work often focuses on the human hand as a tool of both creation and destruction. In “Give,” two massive, pristine white hands emerge from the earth to cradle a single living tree. It’s a powerful visual metaphor for our responsibility as stewards of the environment—holding life with care rather than a clenched fist.
4. Clothespin — Mehmet Ali Uysal (Chaudfontaine, Belgium)
Art doesn’t always have to be solemn; sometimes it’s a giant joke played on the landscape. Mehmet Ali Uysal’s “Clothespin” makes the heavy, solid earth look as light as a piece of laundry. By “pinching” a mound of grass, the sculpture transforms a public park into a surreal, tactile playground.
🔗 Follow Mehmet Ali Uysal on Instagram
5. Caring Hand — Eva Oertli & Beat Huber (Glarus, Switzerland)
Located in the heart of Glarus, this sculpture turns a tree into a protected treasure. The “Caring Hand” rises from the soil to wrap its fingers around the trunk, blending the industrial feel of the sculpture with the organic growth of the park. It’s a silent, permanent gesture of protection.
More: The Caring Hand – Sculpture by Eva Oertli and Beat Huber
6. I’m Home!
Sometimes the most striking art is the kind you almost miss. By painting a face directly onto the split heart of a tree, the artist reveals a “soul” within the wood. The natural texture of the trunk becomes part of the portrait, making it look as though the figure has been hiding there all along, waiting for the bark to part.
7. UMI — Daniel Popper (Chicago, Illinois, USA)
“UMI” translates to “Mother” in Arabic, and this sculpture perfectly captures the concept of Mother Nature. Built with a skeleton of intertwined roots and branches, the figure appears to be in the middle of a slow, graceful ascent from the soil. It reminds us that we are not separate from the earth—we are made of the same stuff.
More: “UMI” Sculpture by Daniel Popper in Lisle, Illinois
8. Flower Tube
What if the vibrant colors of a garden weren’t just grown, but “painted” onto the grass? This whimsical installation treats nature like a medium, with a giant paint tube squeezing out a river of orange marigolds. It’s a literal interpretation of the idea that nature is the ultimate artist.
9. Musco — Jon Foreman (Minwear Woods, Wales)
Jon Foreman’s land art is famously ephemeral. Using only what he finds on the forest floor—leaves, moss, stones, and soil—he creates intricate patterns that the wind or rain will eventually reclaim. “Musco” is a tribute to the geometry found in the wild, proving that even the most fleeting art can leave a lasting impression. More by Jon Foreman!: 10 Forest Sculptures By Jon Foreman
🔗 Follow Jon Foreman on Instagram
More: When Street Art Meets Nature (40 Photos)
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Sculptures That Blend With Nature (10 Photos)
Public art can make boring places feel special and exciting. It surprises us, gets us thinking, and helps us see the world in a new way. Some sculptures are made to fit perfectly into their surroundings, mixing art and nature in creative ways.
Here, you’ll see 10 amazing sculptures from around the world. These artworks turn simple ideas into something incredible. From a giant clothespin pinching the ground to a zipper opening a stream, these pieces show how art can be surprising and fun.More: 30 Sculptures You (probably) Didn’t Know Existed
1. Clothespin Sculpture by Mehmet Ali Uysal in Belgium
In a peaceful park near Liège, Belgium, there’s a giant clothespin sculpture that looks like it’s pinching the ground. It was created by Turkish artist Mehmet Ali Uysal. This artwork turns a simple everyday object into something huge and fun to look at.
2. The Caring Hand by Eva Oertli and Beat Huber in Glarus, Switzerland
In Glarus, Switzerland, “The Caring Hand” by artists Eva Oertli and Beat Huber shows a giant stone hand rising from the ground, gently holding a tree. The sculpture blends perfectly with its surroundings, symbolizing care and the connection between people and nature.About and more photos: The Caring Hand – Sculpture in Glarus, Switzerland
3. Shuttlecocks by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen in Kansas City
On the lawn of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri, you’ll find giant badminton birdies scattered around. These sculptures, called “Shuttlecocks”, were created by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. They look like someone started a huge game of badminton and left the birdies behind. Each birdie is 18 feet tall and weighs over 5,000 pounds.
4. Window and Ladder by Leandro Erlich
There’s a strange sculpture by Leandro Erlich called “Window and Ladder – Too Late for Help.” It shows a tall white ladder leading to a brick wall with an open window, floating above a field.
5. Give by Lorenzo Quinn
“Give” by Italian artist Lorenzo Quinn. It shows two giant hands gently holding a growing tree, symbolizing care and responsibility for nature.More by Lorenzo Quinn: Support – Message About Climate Change
6. Giant Slingshot Bench by Artist Cornelia Konrads
In a scenic park, German artist Cornelia Konrads built a fun and creative sculpture called “Giant Slingshot Bench.” It’s a wooden bench that looks like it’s been launched into place by two giant tree branches shaped like a slingshot, complete with bright red straps.
7. Safety Pin Sculpture by Claes Oldenburg
At the de Young Museum in San Francisco, there’s a giant “Safety Pin” sculpture created by artist Claes Oldenburg. It turns an ordinary safety pin into something huge and exciting.
8. Zipper Sculpture by Yasuhiro Suzuki
In Tokyo, Japan, there’s a unique “Zipper” sculpture by artist Yasuhiro Suzuki. It looks like a giant zipper opening up the earth, showing a stream of water flowing underneath.
9. Hallow — Daniel Popper in Lisle, Illinois, USA
A monumental wooden sculpture of a woman gently opens her chest to reveal an empty space within. Surrounded by flowering trees, the piece conveys a sense of calm and introspection.More photos!: 5 Photos of Sculpture “Hallow” By Daniel Popper in Lisle, Illinois
10. “Augere” — Jon Foreman in Druidston, Wales
Stone sculpture arranged in spirals on the sand. Built from natural rocks found nearby, the piece changes shape with the tide. More!: Amazing Sculptures by Jon Foreman! (12 Photos)More: 18 Pics Of Land Art Sculptures by Jon Foreman
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5 Photos of Sculpture "Hallow" By Daniel Popper in Lisle, Illinois - STREET ART UTOPIA
Installation artist Daniel Popper By Daniel Popper at the outdoor tree museum The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, USA. More by Daniel Popper in The Morton Arboretum: “UMI” Sculpture by Daniel Popper Comments:Vidar (Street Art Utopia)
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