Meet the Invasives

Welcome! You’ve stumbled upon one of nine invasive plant murals created by the UIC MEC Lab as part of our Biota Award–funded STEAM project. An invasive plant is a plant species that is not native to a given location, and whose presence negatively impacts (or is likely to negatively impact) ecological, economic, or human health. Each mural transforms an invasive plant species into a story, told through color, texture, and science.

Painted by artist Laura Catherwood in collaboration with VSG Contemporary, the series blends art and ecology to reveal how these species alter and impact the landscapes we call home. Whether you found this page after spotting a mural in your neighborhood or while exploring our research, we invite you to look closer, learn their stories, and see how art can reconnect us with nature.

Click on one of the images below to learn more about the invasive plants in the murals!