SINGAPORE – When it is seen through the eyes of botanical artists, the combination of art and science can be beauteous.
Examples of this art form are now on show at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, which is hosting its first collaborative exhibition with botanical art societies of South-east Asia. The exhibition is titled Flora Of Southeast Asia.
Illustrations by botanical artists were once used to record and document plant species that were often employed in medicine. The emphasis was and still is on scientific accuracy.
While there are other ways to do this today, including photography, botanical art can capture details with precision and depth, including the plant’s life cycle, which is not possible with photography.
The exhibition highlights the diversity of plant life in this region with the help of co-organisers Botanical Art Society (Singapore) (BASS), and is in collaboration with the Indonesian Society of Botanical Artists, Thai Botanical Artists and Philippine Botanical Art Society.
The exhibition focuses on plants native to South-east Asia, ranging from forest trees and orchids to pitcher plants and even mushrooms.
Botanical artwork requires an understanding of plant morphology – its form, shape and structure. However, you do not need to be a scientist to do this. Ms Carrie-Ann Lee, president of BASS, says that members include art lovers, beginners as well as accomplished artists.
“Some people create botanical art as a creative challenge, others want to relax, or just enjoy being in nature,” she adds.
One member, Ms Seey Seey Leong, an artist and educator, says that with botanical art, “you have to be meticulous and precise”.
“And it’s not like I can change the colour if I want to. It’s also time-consuming.”
More than 190 artworks were received from artists from 13 countries. A jury of experts selected 120 artworks for the exhibition based on scientific accuracy, artistic merit, mastery of the chosen medium and overall impact. Three artworks were judged Best of Show.
For one Best of Show winner, Mr Teo Nam Siang from BASS, this is the first accolade for his efforts. Mr Teo, who trained as an architect, says: “I think botanical art is a perfect marriage of the natural sciences and fine art. These happen to be my two greatest loves in life, so I guess my going into botanical art comes quite naturally.”
His winning artwork is of an ant plant (Hydnophytum formicarum Jack).
On his technique, Mr Teo says: “Emphasis is placed on the play of light and shadow so that my works are never portrayed in a flat-lay manner. They are posed in a way that closely resembles the plants in their natural habitats.”
There are 80 original art works at the Botanical Art Gallery (Gallop Extension) and 40 facsimiles of the artworks on display throughout the Gardens. There are also guided tours, artists demonstrations and workshops for children and adults.
Where: Singapore Botanical Gardens, Botanical Art Gallery, 7 Gallop Road
When: Till Feb 15, 9am to 6pm daily, closed every last Thursday of the month
Admission: Free
Info: Go to https://go.gov.sg/floraofsea2022
