Two local artists are among the 120 selected for exhibit at Botanica at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney.
Julie Nettleton from Blackheath and Wentworth Falls artist Sylvia Beresford are among the group of exhibiting artists.
Launched in 1999 as a modest exhibition, Botanica has grown to become Australia’s largest and most successful contemporary botanical art event — attracting thousands of visitors annually and funding Foundation & Friends of the Botanic Gardens’ support of vital plant science and conservation programs.
The exhibition, which brings together the worlds of art and science, has also played a key role in resurrecting an almost forgotten art form, along the way garnering international acclaim and delivering vital sales for Australian botanical artists.
To mark Botanica’s 20-year milestone, this year’s event will be curated by Robyn Macintosh, who was responsible for guiding the exhibition through its formative years.
Robyn says Botanica 2019 will showcase 120 works from 66 Australian artists, including established and emerging talents in the botanical art world.
“Botanical art has moved away from the purely scientific illustrated work and has become bolder with contemporary compositions while still being true to its subjects,” she said. “Many of our artists are now represented in major collections in North America and Europe — including the highly-acclaimed Shirley Sherwood and Isaac Sutton collections.
“HRH Prince Charles also holds several works from artists who exhibit in Botanica.”
Botanica: The 20th Anniversary runs until April 14 at the Lion Gate Lodge, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. Free entry. See www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/botanica. All items for sale.
