Ocotillo

This sculpture marks the beginning of my journey into metalworking and the first piece in an ongoing series inspired by the resilient beauty of desert flora in the Chihuahuan Desert. Standing just over five feet tall, it is composed of steel rods that rise organically from a grounded base, mimicking the vertical rhythm and expressive form of blooming cactus stalks.

Each stem was cold-formed and welded by hand, embracing the raw strength and flexibility of steel while allowing for a sense of movement and upward growth. The red flower-like elements provide a vivid contrast, suggesting seasonal vitality and the stark beauty of survival in arid environments.

As the inaugural work in my cacti series, it explores themes of adaptation, rootedness, and the quiet vibrancy of the desert. It also represents a personal milestone—the fusion of my sculptural vision with the physical and poetic possibilities of metal.