Christopher Xavier O'Hare is an American artist and architectural sculptor with works exhibited throughout the United States and on projects from Okinawa Japan to Abu Dhabi UAE. His art studies started in New York and continued throughout Europe. Originally trained as a Architect/Engineer and Landscape Architect, O'Hare switched careers after years of designing commercial and private gardens to devote his full attention to architectural art. He founded Pineapple Grove Designs in Delray Beach Florida in 1988 and offered his work to architects and clients throughout the world. O'Hare's collection of bas-relief and three dimensional sculptures are inspired by plant, animal, geometric and arabesque imagery with references to traditional, historic and contemporary themes. O'Hare's body of work includes commissions by most branches of the Federal Government, State, Municipal and Institutional clients.
O'Hare's concern for environmental issues led him to a parallel career in bio-marine enhancement. He has several U.S. Patents for his inventions in this field and he currently builds artificial reef modules known as Reef Cells. O'Hare has provided these without profit to foundations and government agencies and has multiple deployments throughout South Florida. Most recently O'Hare has made the resources of his art studio, known as CXOART, available to Reef Cells in a joint venture with Miami Body Casting for the purpose of building an Art Reef in the near shore waters of Fort Lauderdale Florida. The reef, to be known as 1000 Mermaids Reef will be funded by contributions from people who love the ocean and want to help the environment by participating in the creation of a very bio-productive artificial reef that will also be fun to visit.
"1000 Mermaids Reef project has given me an opportunity to realize my objectives as an artist while pursuing my love of creating artificial reefs. Art strengthens the bond between people. Reef art strengthens our bond with the environment. The 1000 Mermaids Reef will bring attention to the importance of coral reefs, provide much needed habitat for marine life and be a fun place for people to visit and connect with the natural environment." Christopher Xavier O'Hare