Ginkgo, named after the ginkgo tree and marking Daniel Popper’s first experiments with cast aluminium in his art, is a celebration of human endeavour in the conservation of natural heritage. The work was made for the Morton Arboretum’s centennial year: the figure, with closed eyes and a slight smile, is nestled in the gingko leaves – 100 leaves for 100 years.

Popper was inspired by Morton Arboretum founder Joy Morton’s love for the ginkgo tree. Morton was drawn not only to the tree’s beauty, but also its story of conservation. As one of the world’s oldest living botanical species, the gingko is a living fossil. It has survived for two million years without human care but has since become dependent on it for survival. It connects us with the past and serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness and interdependence between human and plant. The mission of the arboretum is to preserve and restore elements of nature that might otherwise disappear. This was the case with the gingko tree. Once considered near-extinct, it continues to survive – a testament to its longevity and human care.

Ginkgo is a celebration of both the Morton Arboretum’s past achievements and its commitments to the shared future of plants and people alike.

This sculpture is now a permanent feature of the Elser Hotel in Miami and the mask element has become a recurring motif in Popper’s work.