The Artist’s Lens 2026: Families

Families take many forms—whether among humans, mammals, or birds. The deep bonds within these families, and the instinct of parents to protect and teach their young, are powerful and universal traits found throughout the natural world. In the plant kingdom, families also exist—ferns, mosses, and trees each form unique lineages. For example, aspen trees grow in groves that are clones of a single parent tree, creating a living network that lights up the prairie with golden color each fall. These plant families are united by shared genetic and evolutionary traits. However, climate change is having a profound impact on them, altering their growth patterns and shifting their natural ranges across the globe.