The Sindecuse atrium is the setting for Perennial, a suspended sculpture inspired by The Secret Garden, a book of floral radiographs (x-rays) by Dr. Albert G. Richards, who taught radiography at the School of Dentistry for over forty years.

Recognizing a shared interest in the intersection of art and science, Helmick extends Richards’ image of a columbine flower into three dimensions, preserving its transparency and morphology through 1000 gold-leafed components, including dental instruments.

Perennial is dedicated to the artist’s wife, Dr. Nan Niland, Class of 1979.