Iris of Memory

Commissioned for Iris of Memory was commissioned for the Lafitte Greenway by Friends of Lafitte Greenway, Arts New Orleans, and NORD with support from Elaine Ravich, the Greg Vorhoff family, and the City of New Orleans Percent for Art Program.

Narrative: Iris of Memory is a permanent public artwork in New Orleans, Louisiana honoring both place and remembrance. Inspired by the native Louisiana iris, the sculpture combines botanical form, durable steel, and interactive lighting to create a landmark on the Lafitte Greenway. As visitors approach, the bouquet of flowers glows brighter, casting patterns from the petals onto the surrounding landscape to symbolize memory’s ability to impress upon us even after loss, before slowly fading like a lingering thought. Functionally, the installation provides motion-activated lighting along the pathway and the leaves unfurl into benches for seating. Rooted in local ecology and community input, Iris of Memory transforms a traditional, ephemeral memorial symbol into a lasting beacon of beauty, play, and environmental stewardship.