Philip Ross uses living organisms in his work, inserts them in highly controlled environments, and turns them into sculptures.

The “Juggernaut” plant lives in a survival capsule, looking like the last living thing. The glass enclosures create a controlled hydroponic environment: the plant’s roots are submerged in nutrient infused water; the plant is fed light from white LEDs, set into the bell jar like cover and pumps filtered air and UV sterilized water through the various chambers.

In Juggernaut I have tried to meld qualities of Chinese scholar’s objects with the architectural design principles of Victorian crystal palaces. These divergent cultural traditions hold the idea that nature is best understood when seen through the lens of human artifice. The philosophies behind these aesthetic customs would be considered alien to one another, yet they share the belief that nature, through human improvement, can reveal aspects of its true identity. (Last exhibited at the Garden LAb Experiment )

The artist is now showing Junior, a similar piece, at Sonoma County Museum till February 13.

Thanks Mark.