Nova Jiang

Nova Jiang’s work reimagines our relationship with the natural world and each other. Born in Dalian, China, and based in Los Angeles, Jiang creates art that encompasses sculpture, painting, and public installations. Her perspective is shaped by her experiences as a young immigrant in New Zealand, where she often incorporates elements like natural forms, cultural motifs, and everyday materials in innovative ways to explore themes of identity, memory, and ecology.

Torrey Pine is installed in the ticketing lobby of San Diego International Airport and draws inspiration from the Torrey Pine tree, an iconic native plant that survives by harvesting moisture from the marine layer. Jiang is captivated by the tree’s ability to thrive in an arid coastal climate and its distinctive wind-bent form. Her sculpture reinterprets this resilience as a trio of suspended, tree-like structures, with their canopies transformed into a continuous, flowing stream of water. The artwork evokes motion and stillness, serving as a place of passage for travellers below.

Constructed from 927 laser-cut, PVC-coated gold mirror stainless steel panels, the artwork is assembled into 54 sculptural modules using over 2,000 stainless steel rods and sleeves, suspended by 331 aircraft cables from 26 custom aluminium support plates above the ceiling. The shimmering surfaces catch and reflect the unique Southern California light, transforming the space throughout the day. The final form appears weightless, yet it is grounded in structural complexity and precision engineering.

Realised through a collaborative effort, we provided design development, engineering, fabrication, finishing, and installation coordination services. Key partners included Fabhaus, responsible for custom cribbing and onsite assembly; Arcadia, which executed the intricate laser cutting; and Mirror Metals, which supplied the highly reflective mirror stainless steel. This team’s shared dedication made it possible to transform Nova Jiang’s vision into a permanent architectural sculpture that connects travellers to the landscape and spirit of San Diego.