Monthly Newsletter- September 2026
Hope everyone had a wonderful summer! I know this monthly newsletter is a little later than usual, but I have a good reason. For the past few weeks, I’ve been working on one of the most extensive installation projects I’ve ever created, and I wanted to wait until it was finished so I could finally share it with you.
If you follow me on social media (@Justin Winkel or @Winkel Gallery), you’ve probably seen some of the behind-the-scenes looks and glimpses of what I’ve been working on.
Now it’s finally complete and on view in the gallery.
For this project, I transformed the middle of the gallery into a living sculpture garden.
As you may know, I create bold and vibrant glass sculptures, and I’ve been thinking about different ways to display them beyond simply placing them on the floor or a pedestal. I’ve also always wanted to experiment with sculptures that could be suspended from the ceiling.
Then I had an idea: What if I created my own indoor sculpture garden and immerse the sculptures within a living environment surrounded by plants?
The idea was to create an installation that feels less like a traditional gallery display and more like stepping into another environment. Over time, as the plants grow and begin to move around the sculptures, the installation will continue to evolve.
I’m excited to finally share my largest installation to date:
FROM THE DESERT TO THE RAINFOREST
Justin Winkel
FROM THE DESERT TO THE RAINFOREST
Sculptural Garden Installation
Glass, steel, wood, live plants, vinyl wrapped pedestals, and original wall decal
Entire Installation: 48 × 144in
Includes 7 different sculptures
From the Desert to the Rainforest is an evolving living sculpture garden bringing together 7 unique sculptures made of glass, steel, light, color, texture, and surrounded by an array of plants including cacti, monsteras, jade plants, swedish ivy, snake plants, tradescantia, syngoniums, mosaic plants, and sweet potato vines.
Translucent glass captures and redirects light, creating reflections, shadows, and shifting color throughout the garden. Plants grow around and between the sculptures, blurring the boundary between artwork and nature.
The garden is designed to evolve. As individual sculptures find new homes, new works will emerge within the landscape, allowing the installation to continually change and grow.
HOW TO COLLECT THE GARDEN (3 Different Options)
Select individual sculptures to collect
Commission your very own custom configuration
SOME NEW WORKS ON VIEW
Original Spray Paint on Paper
30 × 30in
Currently unframed but custom framing is available and the price listed is for a black or white frame. Alternative frames may be selected for an additional fee.
You may purchase online and select gallery pick up or shipping
Shipping will be calculated at checkout
Encaustic and pastels on wood panel
32 × 40in
Framed size: 34 × 42
Custom framing is available and the framing cost is listed. We recommend a natural wood floater frame
This piece is inspired by pink colored lakes which is caused by higher salt levels
You may purchase online and select gallery pickup or shipping
Shipping cost will be calculated at checkout
ATTENTION:
Due to a family matter, the gallery will be closed from Sunday September 20 - Wednesday September 23 and reopening on Thursday September 24th. I’ll be around this Saturday normal hours if you want to stop, if not, I look forward to seeing you once I open back up.
OUTSIDE THE GALLERY
I want to congratulate one of our artists, Arvay Adams, whose work was recently mentioned in the Baltimore Business Journal for his monumental painting, WE INSIST, which is featured in the new office of Gallagher LLP.
The BBJ recently published a cover story on the Baltimore-based law firm’s relocation from downtown to Harbor East and the massive renovation of their new office. Arvay’s painting is the focal point as soon as you enter the main area, making it a major part of the new space.
