Patrick Dougherty at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Patrick Dougherty is an environmental sculptor of international renown. Based in North Carolina, his unique and quirky natural wood sculptures have made him famous in several countries all over the world. He began sculpting in 1980, although it began as a modest attempt in his backyard. He has come a long way since then and created about 200 on site specific sculptures for various galleries and institutions.

Dougherty’s sculptures are usually crafted with saplings and twigs. He weaves them into architectural forms that resemble nests and bring to mind themes of habitat, shelter, and sustainability. His sculptures have a life cycle of their own. They change and evolve over time, eventually decaying and dying.

In celebration of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s 100th anniversary, Dougherty has been commissioned to make the garden’s first site specific sculpture. For three weeks in August, Dougherty and his team of volunteers will put together his latest sculpture, and guests to the garden are most welcome to come and watch this entire team at work. The resultant sculpture will remain on display next year as well.

Apart from volunteers, assistants from the BBG staff will work with Dougherty and assist him in various tasks, such as weaving twigs in the artist’s signature style, moving plant material, scaling scaffolding to manage the vertical support poles and of course, answering the questions of all the curious and intrigued guests. Dougherty will be seen working from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on most days and the sculpture is anticipated to be completed on August 21.

The raw material being used to weave this sculpture is a non native species of willow from the Ocean Breeze Park on Staten Island. This species has been specifically targeted to be removed, since it has been designated an invasive species in New York State. Therefore, apart from giving BBG a beautiful sculpture, Dougherty’s project will also improve the balance of the native species of plants in the park.

• Date: August 5 – August 21, 2010
• Venue: Brooklyn Botanic Garden
• Address: 900 Washington Ave., between Crown & Montgomery Sts, Brooklyn, NY 11225
• Phone: 718-623-7200, 718-622-7839
• Admission: Free with Brooklyn Botanic Garden Admission
• Admission charges for BBG: Members – Free; Adults – $8; Seniors (65 and over) – $4; Students with a valid ID – $4; Children under 12 – Free
• BBG Hours of Operation: Mon – closed; Tue through Fri – 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat & Sun – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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