Kristine Mays’ sculptures appear to emerge from the ground, their wire frames evoking delicate yet resilient figures in motion. This striking juxtaposition of fragility and strength will be on display at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden when her acclaimed exhibition, “Rich Soil,” opens Jan. 18 and runs through March 9, 2025.

The exhibition features 29 life-size sculptures, arranged in seven groupings across the Garden’s iconic spaces. Inspired by Alvin Ailey’s dance masterpiece “Revelations,” Mays’ work pays tribute to the ancestors who walked and tended the land, honoring both their lives and legacies. The exhibition is included with Garden admission and free for members.

“My hope is that the figures will spring forth like spirits rising from the soil, to be recognized, revered and embraced,” Mays said. “May they push through while mingling and dancing among the flowers. Both plants and human beings come and go — reverberating within the cycles of life.”

Each sculpture is meticulously crafted from thousands of pieces of wire, hooked and looped together to form intricate gestures and expressions. The works explore themes of identity, resilience and the human connection, embodying what Mays describes as “a strong spirit shining forth in the dichotomy of what is revealed.”

A San Francisco native, Mays has been an exhibiting artist since 1993, gaining recognition for her unique medium and storytelling. Her work has appeared at national institutions such as the California African American Museum and the Museum of African Diaspora and has been featured in major media outlets including The New York Times and The Washington Post.

Mays’ sculptures are included in private collections nationwide, with notable collectors including filmmaker George Lucas and the late Peggy Cooper Cafritz. Her projects have ranged from large-scale public art, such as a 400-pound sculpture for San Francisco’s “Hearts in San Francisco” program, to a mural collaboration in her hometown reflecting the fleeting legacy of Black jazz musicians.

To mark the opening of “Rich Soil,” Mays will participate in a discussion at the Garden with Saajida Chohan, director of education and visitor experience at The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, on Jan. 17 at 5:30 p.m. The event is free for members of both the Garden and the Black History Museum. Tickets are $8. For more information visit lewisginter.org.