"Umi," as this sculpture was named, takes it's name from the Arabic word for "mother."
It was one of eight sculptures that was on display as part of the "Human+Nature" exhibit at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL. Designed by South African artist Daniel Popper, who drew inspiration from the concept of Gaia, as defined by Greek mythology and John Lovelock, who envisioned the earth as a single, self-regulating organism. According to Popper, "Umi is a reminder of the feminine imagery that has long offered understanding of the vast, intricate natural world."
"Human+Nature" exhibit ran from May 2021 to March 2023. "Human+Nature" was part of an ongoing series of two-year long exhibitions at the Arboretum. A new exhibit took its place May 2023, and that one ended on March 2, 2025. The newest exhibit is set to open in May 2025. Umi is now on permanent exhibit in the Aurora Highlands in Colorado.
