Sentinels of the Desert

Saguaro cactus, majestic symbol of the Sonoran Desert, are endangered by climate change, drought and competing invasive plant species. Their only native habitat is this arid, mountainous desert and they form the foundation of an interdependent ecosystem that would be forever lost if conditions continue to decline.

To the Tohono O’odham, who have lived in the Sonoran Desert for thousands of years, the Saguaro is an integral part of their culture, regarded with the same respect given to people. The importance of the cactus’ sweet red fruit is reflected in the O’odham calendar, and provides the ceremonial wine used to herald in summer monsoon rains.

This limited-edition artist book uses Hedi Kyle’s Panorama structure presenting two stories of these beloved desert icons. This structure was chosen as a way to present a dynamic visual timeline and as an exploration of the usage of text on what is often a blank back side.

The first side is a visual timeline of the life of the Saguaro, which has an average life span of 150-175 years and can grow as high as a four-story building. Original photos captured at the Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona document the cactus from delicate seeds scattered by coyote scat, to monumental maturity, and then decay and death leaving behind a ribbed wooden skeleton.

The second side features a poem written by the artist, celebrating the majesty and cultural touchstone that is this vital species and worrying over the most serious threats to the Saguaro, and indeed, the desert’s survival.