Desert Voices

Kaiser Permanente Medical Office Building, Palmdale, Ca.
Each of six panels: 4' x 34' x 6" — stainless steel
Commissioned by Kaiser Permanente

Desert Voices is a sculptural series that honors the land, light, and layered history of the Mojave Desert. Installed along the entry walkway and visible through corridor windows, six brushed stainless steel panels portray the distinctive environment surrounding the Antelope Valley—connecting the natural world to the healing mission of the medical setting.

Panels 1 through 5 depict native flora and fauna in silhouette and relief: a flowering Joshua tree, desert cacti, a coyote, a desert hare, and the threatened desert tortoise. Geological features such as a radiant sunrise and the strata of the nearby San Andreas Fault root the imagery in place and time.

Panel 6 extends the narrative into the interior lobby, introducing the California Aqueduct—a symbol of life-sustaining water in the desert—and a B-2 stealth bomber from Edwards Air Force Base, representing the region’s technological significance.

Light passes through and around each form, creating shifting shadows throughout the day. As viewers move past the work, the panels seem to respond—echoing the stillness, motion, and resilience of the desert itself.