Once again, botanical artists around the world have joined together to curate simultaneous exhibitions of botanical art to raise awareness of the rejuvenation of this artform and bring attention to plants and their importance to humanity. Special events will also be held to celebrate the Worldwide Day of Botanical Art on May 18, 2025.
The second Botanical Art Worldwide Project focuses on and celebrates biodiversity in the crops that have been closely associated with the human species over thousands of years. The theme is designed to draw attention to the vast variety of food and useful plants available, in contrast with the relatively few varieties currently used in mass cultivation. Plants eligible for inclusion are those cultivated for food, textiles, building, energy, and medicine.
Currently, many heritage species and varieties are only cultivated in small quantities by specialist growers on a limited scale. It is vital to promote this genetic diversity in a world challenged by a growing population, changing climate, and habitat losses.
In Australia the exhibition features plant species that are Bush Foods, Medicinal and Utilitarian Plants indigenous to Australia. This may include natural hybrids, cultivars or man-made hybrids.
Entries have been solicited from botanical artists across Australia and the ones selected by the experienced jury will be hung at BELCO Arts Centre in Belconnen ACT from 28 March to 18 May 2025.
See all the selected works and purchase a beautiful and informative catalogue here or go to Belco Arts if you are interested in purchasing a work.
My 2 selected drawings are: Tetragonia tetragonioides, Warrigal greens (left) and Bulbine semibarbata, Leek lily (right)
