If you’ve been to the Holden Arboretum recently, you’ve probably seen the bright and beautiful sculptures of the Forest Forms exhibit standing out against our green landscapes. They were created by sculptor Huelani Mei – and we got a chance to catch up with her to learn more about her career and her creative process!

Tell us about your background and what’s behind your interest in outdoor sculpture?

Creating art has always been the driving force in my life. I knew right after graduating high school that I wanted a career rooted in art. I earned a BFA in Sculpture from Georgia State University, and during my time there, I became fascinated by public art—especially its ability to transform spaces and invite people to interact with it in unexpected ways. What drew me specifically to outdoor sculpture was its power to exist beyond the walls of a traditional gallery. There’s something meaningful about creating work that lives out in the open, becoming part of the landscape and part of people’s everyday experiences. I’m especially interested in how sculpture can spark an unexpected dialogue with both the environment and the community around it.

The sculptures in Forest Forms are big, bold, and bright, but a lot of work goes into each sculpture before the piece is completed – how do they go from idea to exhibit?

Each sculpture starts with a sketch—usually loose, intuitive drawings that capture the energy or movement I’m inspired by when I’m out in nature. From there, I create small-scale mockups to help me understand the structure and shape more tangibly. Once the idea is refined, I begin drawing the forms to scale directly on the ground.

Once I have a clear build plan for each sculpture, I create a schedule based on my deadlines and the complexity of each piece. For Forest Forms, I started with the sculptures I knew how to build, and as my skills improved, I gained the confidence to tackle the larger, more intense sculptures. I would complete one sculpture, handle all the finishing work, take it to powder coating, and then pack the pieces until the entire exhibit was ready.

Interestingly, I never unpacked the sculptures once I got them back from powder coating, so the first time they were displayed was the first time I really got to see the entirety of the show!

You have a unique perspective as a young, female sculptor in a traditionally male field – and you partnered with a female-led exhibition company, Elemental Exhibitions, to develop this traveling exhibit. What have you learned through the exhibition process?

Partnering with Elemental Exhibitions on Forest Forms has been a deeply meaningful experience—not just professionally, but personally. As a young female sculptor in a field that’s often male-dominated, it’s been empowering to collaborate with a women-led business that shares our vision and values the importance of creating space for diverse voices in public art.

We’re building a community that makes art accessible to all. There’s so much behind-the-scenes coordination and problem-solving involved in bringing a large-scale exhibit like Forest Forms to life, and the process has taught me how to stay adaptable while staying true to the core vision of the work. It’s also been a strong reminder that representation truly matters. Seeing a team of women push forward a large, ambitious, and physically demanding project like this sends a powerful message—and it’s one I’m proud to be part of.

What advice would you give to someone working towards a career in a field that doesn’t traditionally include someone of their background or experience?

My advice would be: believe in yourself—because if you don’t, then no one else will. Your uniqueness is your power, and it can be the inspiration for those who want to be in your shoes. Be the person who leads others, and find or create a community that supports your growth. Always stay humble, and put positive energy into being different.

There have been many times when I thought my dreams of being a professional artist were too hard or not attainable—and in those moments, I had to push myself even harder to accomplish my goals. You can’t give up on something just because it’s hard; if it were easy, then everyone would be doing it. Show up, speak up, and let your presence make space for others.

Another thing I’ve learned while building my career is not to let the fears of others influence your decisions or dictate your journey. The road might be less paved, but that doesn’t mean you don’t belong on it.

How did you come up with the “human” names for the sculptures in Forest Forms?

I named the sculptures in Forest Forms after my friends and family as a way to honor the people who have supported me along my journey. Building large-scale sculptures and traveling exhibits takes so much more than just creative energy; it demands physical work, emotional resilience, and a strong community behind the scenes. I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish my goals without the support from my community so these names are a small tribute to the love and encouragement my friends and family have given me along the way as I have been pursuing my artistic endeavors.

The traditional stories paired with each sculpture were developed by folks on Holden’s education and guest services teams and inspired by your sculptures – do you have a favorite story? (BK note: interpretive text attached)

I love that Forest Forms inspired the Holden staff to pair each sculpture with such fun and educational stories.  I really enjoyed reading them all and felt like I learned so much about the history of the animals and plants featured in Forest Forms from so many different cultures from around the world! If I had to pick a favorite I would have to say “The language of Flowers” would be it! I really loved learning about “floriography” and it made me feel inspired to create more artwork that pertains to flowers.

You spend a lot of time outdoors – do you have a favorite plant?

That’s a hard question because I truly love all the beauty the outdoors provide! But if I had to choose, I would say wildflowers are my favorite. When I go hiking I love getting to see the pops of colors that wildflowers provide throughout all the greenery. They act as  small, joyful moments.