Mother Earth Sculptures | Mother Earth Project

Mother Earth Sculpture

Uniting Communities, Driving Action

Mother Earth Sculpture

On January 19, 2017, the Mother Earth Sculpture made a bold debut along the Potomac River in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., just a day before the U.S. Presidential Inauguration. Its installation served as a powerful statement of America’s enduring commitment to sustainability. The official dedication took place on April 29, 2017, coinciding with the Climate March—when thousands gathered to demand action against climate change. Positioned on the banks of the Potomac, the sculpture stands as a visual reminder of the urgency to protect our planet.

A Vision of Hope and Universality

The Mother Earth Sculpture was conceived by scientist and public artist Barton Rubenstein, who, alongside his family, founded the Mother Earth Project in 2015. Crafted from stainless steel, the sculpture takes the form of a silver ribbon of energy, rising gracefully from the earth. It depicts a human figure in profile, symbolizing the delicate balance between humanity and the natural world.

The design features two faces—one formed by solid steel, the other emerging in the negative space, visible only through the viewer’s imagination. This interplay of form and emptiness embodies the yin and yang of human existence, suggesting the dual nature of our relationship with the planet. Its slightly upward-tilted pose and shimmering, multi-faceted structure evoke a sense of hope and universality, transcending boundaries of race and nationality.

Uniting Nations for a Sustainable Future

Strategically placed near bodies of water—rivers, lakes, and facing downstream to the collective oceans—the Mother Earth Sculptures emphasize the unity of all nations. They are symbols of our shared responsibility to protect the earth’s delicate ecosystems, reinforcing the idea that what connects us is stronger than what divides us. Each sculpture is a testament to the global solidarity required to address the challenges of climate change, urging us to act together for a more sustainable future.

The Mother Earth Project aims to install dozens of Mother Earth Sculptures across the globe, adding to the existing eight now in six continents and eight different countries, uniting communities worldwide through these symbolic beacons of environmental stewardship.

“The Mother Earth sculpture reminds everyone in Jaipur to take care of our planet. It spreads a message of love, care, and responsibility for nature. For the community, the sculpture has become a symbol of unity. People gather around it during special events, like Earth Day, to talk about how to make the city greener and cleaner. It has also encouraged more parks and gardens to be built in Jaipur, making the city look fresh and beautiful.”

—Laxmi Saxena, Mother Earth Project Director of India

The journey of a Mother Earth sculpture is as purposeful as the message it conveys. Each sculpture begins its voyage packed securely in a 20-foot shipping container, traveling by sea to a local port. From there, it makes its way by truck to the chosen installation site, where the groundwork has already begun.

Before the sculpture’s arrival, a one-meter-high concrete foundation is carefully constructed to provide stability and permanence. Then comes installation day—a moment of precision and anticipation. A telescopic forklift gently pulls the caged sculpture from the shipping container. After the cross supports are removed, the sculpture is delicately lifted with a large rope and carefully placed onto six stainless steel bolts protruding from the foundation. Once secured with nuts and washers, the final touch—a plaque—is affixed to the base, sharing its story and purpose with the world.

This transformative process has unfolded across continents, uniting communities in their commitment to environmental awareness. These sculptures become focal points for local engagement, sparking dialogue, pride, and collective action among residents. They serve as powerful reminders of our shared responsibility to the planet and as rallying points for education, connection, and environmental advocacy.

Below are photos capturing the awe-inspiring moments of installation from around the globe, each a testament to the power of art as a catalyst for climate change and community transformation. Through these sculptures, art transcends boundaries, inspires collaboration, and fosters a deeper commitment to protecting our shared planet.