Admire Daniel Popper’s “UMI” Sculpture in Lisle, Illinois

By Daniel Popper at the outdoor tree museum The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, USA.

“UMI,” a maternal figure, is as tall as the trees that surround the sculpture. “UMI” is derived from the Arabic word meaning “mother” or “my mother.”  1 of 5 new works from the Human+Nature exhibition opening today at the The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois.

Walking through a cold winter breeze in a local park takes on a new meaning at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Ill. The “Human+Nature” exhibit by multidisciplinary artist Daniel Popper showcases five sculptures connecting people and the world around them.

Surrounding the base of the Earth Mother they have planted Virginia Creepers. Across 1,700 acres of the park, five sculptures, ranging from 15- to 26 feet tall lie among the trails, lightly dusted with the quiet January snow.

The sculptures, made of concrete, fiberglass and steel, weigh several metric tons, some reaching taller than the trees they surround. Popper has painted the sculptures to look like wood. The exhibit is his largest to date, including all of the international pieces.