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Australia’s leading annual botanical art exhibition ‘Botanica’ returns to the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney in 2015 with works by the best of Australia’s botanic and natural science artists. This year the exhibition builds on 2014 by inviting visitors to venture further into the complex relationship between plants and their pollinators – in this case, the magical conversation between plants and the animal world.
The artists, who are invited to exhibit because of both their national and international reputations and their excellent bodies of work, open a window into the subtle and not so subtle ways in which plants cleverly attract pollinators, and invite reflection on the effect of unbridle human development, habitat destruction, the overuse of pesticides and agricultural practices that are destroying these fragile plant/animal relationships.
This year ‘Botanica’ will also include a selection of works by the students of Australia’s only Natural History Illustration Degree course offered by the University of Newcastle under the expert tutorage of one of Australia’s leading botanical artists, and Botanica regular, Deidre Bean.
Curator Judy Dunstan says “Last year artists were invited to paint not only plants but their pollinators. So successful was that initiative that in 2015 we’re delighted to continue the focus on pollinators, by asking visitors to consider the various magnificent and magical means by which plants attract, advise and at time discourage their pollinators.
Botanical art remains a popular and highly collectable art form and whilst it must be scientifically correct, it also embraces a strong artistic sensibility. Originally documenting the natural world for reference, this clear and lucid illustration of plant-life is now appreciated by a wide audience for its contemporary art value.
Along with the more traditional watercolour works, ‘Botanica 2015’ will also display works using non-traditional mediums, such as colour pencil illustrations and works on vellum.
All works are for sale, the proceeds of which benefit the work of Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens and their support of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust.
Botanica has a proud history of exhibiting the best of Australia’s botanical artists – ranked by many as among the best in the world. Included in this year’s exhibition will be works by Beverly Allen, Annie Hughes, Sandra Sanger, David Mackay, John Pastoriza-Pinol, Barbara Duckworth, Deirdre Bean, Angela Lober and Elaine Musgrave.
Lion Gate Lodge, Royal Botanic Garden
Until 10 May, 2015
Sydney
Gallipoli poppies by Deidre Bean
