A well-known figure in the field of botany, Professor Esmé Hennessy will open an exhibition of botanical art presented by the KZN Branch of the Botanical Artists Association of Southern Africa (BAASA) on November 25 at 16h30 for 17h00 at the Durban Botanic Gardens, NBS Education Centre. This year’s event has attracted over 30 artists exhibiting over 100 original botanical art works.

Botanical art has a rich tradition of meticulous attention to the realistic depiction of horticultural specimens coupled with artistic technique of the highest order. As such, botanical art has both scientific and aesthetic appeal.

The history of the medium is rooted in the illustration of botanical texts most often presented as original or printed (woodcuts and lithographs) books plates. Its emergence as a distinct discipline reflects this tradition and at the same time has enabled unprecedented creativity whilst remaining true to scientific accuracy.

Local botanical artists have developed a style that is of international standard while distinctive in its subject matter and painterly approach. The richness and diversity of indigenous South African flora has sparked the imagination of the international market and has also lead to the emergence of very popular and familiar botanical textiles.

By staging this ambitious exhibition BAASA hopes to bring to public attention the beauty and vibrancy of original work together with a new awareness of South Africa’s unique and vulnerable indigenous plant heritage. This exhibition - open for public viewing daily from 10h00 to 18h00 (no entrance fee) – closes on December 9.

NB The Botanical Collectibles Shop will complement the exhibition by carrying a range of functional ceramics, cards, books and botanical prints. A unique collaboration with fine art and textile design students from the Technikon Natal, is the launch of original limited edition Botanical Art textiles.