A piece by artists Melissa Meier is included in the “Daphne’s Wardrobe” exhibition opening on March 1 at Descanso Gardens. (photo courtesy of Descanso Gardens)

Descanso Gardens presents “Daphne’s Wardrobe – Metamorphosis into Nature,” an interdisciplinary exhibition of artworks that explore transformations of the body into nature running from March 1–June 1 in the Sturt Haaga Gallery and Boddy House.

“Daphne’s Wardrobe” includes photography, sculpture, painting, works on paper and wearable garments that draw on mythologic and folklore narratives to examine themes of metamorphosis. The Daphne of the title is the virginal naiad from Greek mythology who metamorphosized into a laurel tree to escape Apollo’s sexual advances. Her soft skin turned into bark, her smooth hair grew into wild foliage, her delicate arms into branches and her petite feet into long-reaching roots, making her forever embedded in the Earth. As a tree, no longer the maiden she once was, Daphne is perpetually silenced and “speaks” through the rustling of leaves.

Curator Carole Ann Klonarides has chosen works that explore ideas of identity, femininity and the symbolic role of trees, plants and organic forms that shed light on the often-overlooked connection to the natural world. Works by artists Valerie Hammond, Adelle Lutz, Elana Herzog, Melissa Meier, Wangechi Mutu, Vibeke Sorensen, Alison Saar, Rina Banerjee, Phyllis Green, Iris Yirei Hu and Vera Lehndorff/Holger Trülzsch challenge viewers to rethink connections to nature while referencing the complex cultural histories that have shaped the relationship.

“The transformation of Daphne has many representations in art and fashion throughout history,” Klonarides said. “Today, this powerful, often referred to and on occasion debated myth might have Daphne change into a gynoid or an AI fantasy like in the film ‘Her.’ The art in this exhibition leads us to find ourselves one with nature in a world dominated by machines and digital representations.”

On Feb. 28 from 5-7 p.m., the garden will open to all visitors for the “Daphne’s Wardrobe” opening reception. Admission is free. Meet the artists and Klonarides, and enjoy a no-host bar and live music.

The exhibition opens on March 1, featuring walk-throughs with Klonarides at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. A series of special events related to the exhibition will be held throughout spring. A Nature and Fashion Workshop will take place on March 9 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., followed by a Wearable Nature Art Workshop on April 5 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., a “Daphne’s Wardrobe” curator tour on May 3 from 1-2 p.m. and a “Daphne’s Wardrobe” artists panel on May 15 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Regular viewing hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m., daily. Entry to the gallery and Boddy House are included in the price of admission and membership.

Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. For information, visit descansogardens.org/event/daphnes-wardrobe/2025-04-20.