Hear Here

Title: Hear Here, the Golden Mangrove Sanctuary

Artist: Meg Wallace

This eco-art sculpture, created by Meg Wallace, merges the natural beauty of the mangrove ecosystem with artistic expression. The design is inspired by the intricate network of mangroves, symbolizing strength, resilience, and adaptability. The installation features three large golden leaves, each representing one of the three mangrove species commonly found in South Florida. Their interconnected forms reflect the relationships within both our physical and social ecosystems.

Located at the waterline of the mangroves, the sculpture invites visitors to enter a personal golden mangrove sanctuary for moments of rest and reflection. The artist has thoughtfully repurposed a seat crafted from a century-old Royal Palm tree that once stood tall but succumbed to disease in 2023, further deepening the work’s connection to nature.

This installation serves as a call to action, inspiring a collective commitment to environmental conservation while fostering harmonious relationships with the natural world. It blends art and nature, encouraging visitors to appreciate and preserve the mangroves and the diverse ecosystems that sustain life on Earth.

(Hu)mangrove

(Hu)mangrove is a group exhibition at The Kampong that explores the intersections between communities and ecosystems in South Florida. Central to the inspiration of this show is the remarkable mangrove root system. Across our coastal waterways, including on the shoreline of our garden, mangroves are critical to Florida’s ecology. The interconnectedness of their root networks and the havens they create for our home’s biodiversity reflect the potential for flourishing, interrelational human communities. (Hu)mangrove examines the relationships between mangroves and people, nature and culture. The exhibition weaves together a diverse group of artists, all of whom nurture community as they cultivate their artistic practice.

“Just like the interconnectedness of our human communities, mangroves exhibit flexibility and resiliency. They create a haven for wildlife, protect coastal areas from storm surge, filter our water, and so much more. Regrettably, our world has witnessed the destruction of a substantial percentage of mangrove forests, leaving our communities to bear the consequences. This devastation mirrors the disintegration of societal systems. (Hu)mangrove invites you to nurture our natural surroundings and the social bonds that enrich our lives as we embark on a collective journey towards a brighter and more interconnected future.” — Meg Wallace, artist and curator

Featured artists:

• Andrés Cabrera-Garcia

• Giannina Coppiano Dwin

• Susan Diaz

• Jeanne Jaffe

• Lissette Schaeffler & Bill Cruz

• Meg Wallace

Visitors to The Kampong can enjoy the (Hu)mangrove Exhibition included in the price of admission for a garden tour. Parking is limited and online reservations are strongly encouraged. Reservations can be made via our online booking site. Email kampong@ntbg.org for additional information.

Mother mangrove exhibit

"Mother Mangroves" showcases the latest creations of Meg Wallace, a talented interdisciplinary artist from our local community. Her exhibition incorporates a variety of mediums, including photography, sculpture, poetry, sound installation and painting. Her artistic vision was inspired by the natural beauty of the mangrove forests surrounding the Deering Estate and the coastline of South Florida. Wallace's work is a celebration of the organic rhythms and shapes found in nature. Her paintings, adorned with gold leaf and vibrant hues, capture the essence of nature's energy and spirituality. Sheila Simms-Watson, a local doula, is portrayed as the "mother" figure in Wallace's photographic series, embodying love, strength and shelter within the mangrove landscape. The exhibition also showcases poetry written by children, musicians, and the artist herself, which tells a powerful story of maternal power and grace found in nature. The Miami-Dade Press release invites everyone to experience Mother Mangroves and appreciate the exquisite beauty of the natural world.

The Deering Estate's Great Hall gallery is currently showcasing the Mother Mangroves exhibit. Deering Estate has made photos of the exhibit available online. The Stone House, constructed in 1922 by Charles Deering, was originally home to many masterpieces from his collection, such as works by John Singer Sargent, Rembrandt, Ramon Casas, and Goya. As a rotating exhibition space, the Great Hall continues Charles Deering's legacy of supporting artists through frequent contemporary art exhibitions.

My Family & Art

Art grows in the mind. I love to be able to experience art with my whole family. It stimulates all our imaginations.

“ Art, freedom and creativity will change society faster than politics.” – Victor Pinchuk.