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ART EXHIBIT
Kirstenbosch Botanical Art Biennale
Venue: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Tel: (021) 799 8782.
Gallery Hours: -
Duration: 5 - 24 Sep 2010
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The main focus this year will be on rare, endangered and
narrow endemic species indigenous to southern Africa.
The theme provides an invigorating artistic challenge and
encourages artists to build relationships with conservation organisations,
scientists, artists and horticulturists.
The exhibition, has become one of the highlights on the
Botanical calendar and without doubt this year’s theme will provide a
thought provoking conservation message.
Botanical art works are intricate in the extreme and aim to
mimic the full glory of our natural heritage. Whilst the paintings are
complex the viewer is drawn into the simple beauty of the plants that
surround us and visitors will appreciate the detail that the artist has to
render.
This year’s exhibition promises to be as invigorating as
previous events and curator Nicki Westcott has endeavoured to broaden the
event as far as possible by introducing ceramics, tapestry and embroidery
and the work of renowned artists working on the themes of conservation and
destruction of the environment.
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The selection process of the botanical art submitted is
rigorous and the panel of judges is well versed in this field. They are
Vicki Thomas, a world renowned botanical artist with the distinction of
having her work in Prince Charles’ personal collection, SANBI botanist
Professor John Donaldson, Irma Stern Museum director/curator Christopher
Peter, John Manning, botanist at SANBI and Professor Keith Dietrich, Head
of Visual Arts at Stellenbosch University.
There has been a distinct revival of interest in Botanical
art in recent years which is reflected in contemporary trends in interior
décor and art collections.
The Biennale provides a space where the public and
collectors can view the best examples of botanical art and where the
individual artists’ contributions can be assessed and acknowledged. This
show is an important opportunity to create awareness of Southern Africa’s
endangered species whilst also showing the extraordinary work of top
botanical artists.
The curator’s idea is to simultaneously create awareness of
the threats and dangers to biodiversity and to celebrate the magnificence
of the natural world through the use of different artistic media.
New to the Biennale is a youth programme encouraging high
school pupils to enter an art competition and the public will be able to
view and purchase beautifully made ceramic pots made by the ceramicists
from Light from Africa (a non profit organisation based at Constantia Nek)
and filled with succulents. In addition,
Ardmore Ceramics from KwaZulu Natal are preparing an
exquisite range of their highly original pieces for the occasion which
will include beautiful evocations of local flora and associated
pollinators.
Finally, the artists from the Keiskamma art project who
produced the tapestry now hanging in the Constitutional Court, will be
making unique wall hangings featuring the rare and endangered plants of
the Eastern Cape and including the flora found in the different regions of
the Eastern Cape such as the estuaries and wetlands.
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