Yucca People of the Mojave is a reflection on survival, change, and our fragile connection to nature. These desert plants, with their sculptural forms and uncanny presence, stand as quiet witnesses to time, reminding us of the delicate balance in the world around us. Through black-and-white photography, I emphasize their strong contrasts and intricate textures, transforming them into symbols of resilience and guardianship in an environment shaped by extremes.
This project began during my time at Mystery Ranch, an artist residency and ecological research station in Nevada’s Avi Kwa Ame National Monument, about sixty miles south of Las Vegas. Between 2020 and 2021, I visited the Ranch multiple times, staying in a 1960s cabin or a smaller structure that also functioned as a room-sized camera obscura.
Early in my visits, I encountered a Mojave yucca plant (Yucca schidigera) that immediately caught my attention. It was human-scale and like a figure existing somewhere between a person and a plant, it subtly shifted with the light. This uncanny presence captivated me and became the foundation of my work. Wandering the desert, I sought out other yuccas with this same striking quality, and they began to take on new meanings. These plants became more than just flora; they were figures—elders, shamans, kings, queens, warriors, seekers and migrants—evoking the many people who had lived in or passed through the Mojave over centuries.
The Mojave Desert’s recent history vividly illustrates the accelerating impacts of climate change. By 2021, it was entrenched in a mega-drought deemed the worst in over 1,200 years, a crisis exacerbated by climate variability and human activity. Heavy rains in early 2023 provided temporary relief but triggered a surge in grass and shrub growth. These plants dried in the intense summer heat, setting the stage for the devastating York Fire, which scorched over 93,000 acres, including Joshua tree forests. Recovery for this fragile ecosystem, particularly the Joshua trees, may take decades, if it occurs at all, as increasing wildfires challenge their survival.
Through Yucca People of the Mojave, I aim to honor the enduring spirit of the desert while highlighting its fragility in the face of environmental change.