Mechele Shoneman

Wolf 1069 b

Concrete, Pigment Powder, Raw Rubies

8" Diameter

$85

I’m fascinated by exoplanets potentially capable of sustaining life. This piece is based on Wolf 1069 b, only 31 light-years away. Wolf 1069 b is exposed to intense bouts of ultraviolet radiation. This piece imagines what the flora of such a red-hot planet orbiting a red dwarf star might look like.

Artist Statement

I’m fascinated by the exploration of planets that might sustain life. This piece is based on the recently discovered exoplanet Wolf 1069 b, that’s only 31 light-years away from us. It’s in the habitable zone of its star system, making it the 6th closest Earth-like planet found so far.
Wolf 1069 b is exposed to intense bouts of ultraviolet radiation, hundreds of times more potent than what the Earth experiences from the Sun. I love imagining what the topography, flora and fauna of such a red-hot planet might look like. I used raw red rubies in this sculpture to symbolize the imaginary flowers that might grow on this Earth-mass planet orbiting a red dwarf star.