Sunnyside Menagerie

Sunnyside Conservatory, San Francisco, CA • 2009

Sunnyside Menagerie is a series of bronze fantastical creatures sequestered amidst the greenery of the Sunnyside Conservatory. The park is a wonderful “Secret Garden” in the heart of San Francisco, a sanctuary for nature and the imagination. The creatures evoke the mystery, beauty and biodiversity of nature. The Sunnyside Menagerie is a family of creatures evoking a primordial past as old as the palm trees or perhaps a strange new future; their habitat is this unique park in San Francisco; they can be found nowhere else in the world.

Each of the creatures in the menagerie sports an intricately carved skin. The sculptures are meant to be touched and interacted with by visitors of all ages. Indeed, the tactile and musical nature of the pieces will be especially significant for those who are blind or visually impaired. Positioned throughout the park, the sculptures will encourage visitors to truly explore their surroundings, to slow down and observe the delicate details of both the nature and artwork surrounding them in this unique and magical park.

Commissioned by: San Francisco Arts Commission • Collaborated with City of San Francisco Department of Parks & Recreation • Bronze Casting: Artworks Foundry •  Photography: Ellen Shershow