Yolanda Gutierrez

Sanctuary

Artist Yolanda Gutierrez uses sculpture to act as natural habitats for sea birds. She uses reeds and other natural materials that engage the viewer aesthetically but also afford the sculpture to blend in with the surrounding landscape. It was built on Xochimilco Lake in Mexico City (in 1994) which is an area that unfortunately saw much of its ecosystem destroyed by urbanization. Gutierrez's sculpture allowed sea birds to rest and feed there which eventually led to them use it as a nesting place.