Steve Tobin, born in 1957 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, stands as an American conceptual artist celebrated for his expansive sculptures and groundbreaking techniques utilizing bronze, steel, stone, glass, and ceramics. Renowned for intertwining a nature-centric axiomatic philosophy with industrial processes, Tobin has been at the forefront of fostering existential transformation and environmental awareness since the 1980s. His art transforms mathematical patterns into tangible expressions, with one of his most significant works being the Trinity Root—a twenty-foot-tall bronze cast of a seventy-year-old sycamore tree that shielded St. Paul’s Chapel from debris on 9/11. This masterpiece adorned the courtyard of Trinity Church in New York’s Financial District from 2005 to 2015, gaining recognition in The New York Times. Tobin’s artistic journey diverges from formal education, as he encountered art through physics experiments stemming from his science training. He delved into theoretical mathematics and physics at Tulane University, contributing to material science experiments at the University of Pennsylvania’s Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter (LRSM). His immersion in experiments on matter’s structure, involving crystal growth, polishing, and electron microscope studies, continues to influence his work. Transitioning from glassmaking techniques in the late 1970s to the late 1990s, Tobin invented and taught his methods globally, earning him worldwide recognition. Exhibitions2024–2025: Earth to Sky, Imua Discovery Garden, Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii2023–2024: Everything Grows, Shanghai Station 1907, Shanghai, China2023: Intertwined, Houston Botanical Garden, Houston, Texas2022: Rooted, San Antonio Botanical Garden, Texas2020: Alter Root, Woodmere Art Museum, Pennsylvania2016–Present: San José Museum of Art, California (Installation)2016–2017: Southern Roots, Cheekwood Estate and Gardens, Tennessee2016: Cocoon Awakenings, Allentown Art Museum, Pennsylvania2015–2016: Exposed: The Secret Life of Roots, U.S. Botanic Gardens, Washington, D.C.2014–2016: Palm Springs Museum of Art, California (Installation)2014: Out of this World, Michener Art Museum, Pennsylvania2014: Roots, Museum of Art-DeLand, Florida2013: Roots on 7, Morrison Gallery, Connecticut2012: Natural History, Philharmonic Center for the Arts, Florida2012: Aerial Roots, Grounds for Sculpture, New Jersey2012: Exposed Roots, Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Colorado2011: Natural History, Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts, Florida2011: Touching Earth & Sky, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, University of Minnesota2010: Steelroots, Katonah Museum of Art, New York2010: Steelroots, Morton Arboretum, Illinois2010: Steelroots, Allentown Art Museum, Pennsylvania2009: Steelroots, Calgary, Canada (Permanent)2009: Steelroots, Chicago, Illinois (Public Installation)2008: Steelroots, Frost Art Museum, Florida International University2007: Steelroots, Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY (Art in the Parks)2007: Cocoons, Philadelphia International Airport2006: Exploded Earth, American Museum of Ceramic Art, California2005: Trinity Root, Trinity Church, NYC (moved 2015 to Connecticut)2005: Earth Bronzes, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens2004: Roots, Laumeier Sculpture Park, Missouri2004: Roots, Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois2003: Lantern House, Portland Museum of Art, Maine (Permanent)2003: Earth Bronzes, College of the Atlantic, Maine2002–2003: Naked Earth, La Brea Tar Pits and Natural History Museum, L.A.2002: Lantern House, George Eastman Museum, New York2001–2002: Earth Bronzes, Lehigh University, Pennsylvania1999–2001: Earth Bronzes, American Museum of Natural History, NYC1999: Cocoons, Corning Museum of Glass, New York1998: Earth Bronzes, Fuller Craft Museum, Massachusetts1998: Termite Hills, Art et Industrie, New York1997: Broadway River, NYU, Broadway Windows1993: Retretti, Retretti Art Centre, Finland1992: Carpe Diem Gallery, Paris, France1992: Waterglass, American Craft Museum (MAD), New York1989: Cocoons, Holsten Galleries, Palm Beach, Florida1988: The Glass Garden, Moore College of Art, Pennsylvania Museum and Public CollectionsAmerica Center, Finland, HelsinkiAmerican Museum of Ceramic Art, Pomona, CaliforniaAmerican Museum of Glass, Millville, New JerseyBoca Raton Museum of Art, Mizner Park, Boca Raton, FloridaCarnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaCity of Calgary, CanadaCoastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay, MaineCoca-Cola Corporation Collection, Atlanta, GeorgiaCSC Global, Wilmington, DelawareFlorida International University, Miami, FloridaFordhook Farms, Doylestown, PennsylvaniaFrost Art Museum, Miami, FloridaGolisano Children’s Museum of Naples, Naples, FloridaGratz College, Elkins Park, PennsylvaniaGrounds for Sculpture, Hamilton, New JerseyJames A. Michener Museum of Art, Doylestown, PennsylvaniaJing’An International Sculpture Project, Shanghai, ChinaKarl Stirner Arts Trail, Easton, PennsylvaniaKing Faisal’s Palace, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaLehigh University Museum of Art, Lehigh, PennsylvaniaLowe Art Museum, Miami, FloridaMoravian College, Bethlehem, PennsylvaniaMusée des Arts Décoratifs, Lausanne, SwitzerlandMuseum of American Glass, Millville, New JerseyMuseum of Art and Design (MAD), New York, New YorkNational September 11th Memorial & Museum, New York, New YorkNew Orleans Museum of Art, New Orleans, LouisianaOsaka Japan Public Art InstallationPalmer Museum of Art at Penn State University, Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPhilip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art, Ursinus College, Collegeville, PennsylvaniaRetretti Art Centre, Punkajarju, FinlandThe Sculpture Foundation CollectionStephane Janssen Collection, Phoenix, Arizona, Santa Fe, New MexicoToledo Museum of Art, Toledo, OhioThe White House Permanent Art Collection, Washington, D.C.