Calling all botanical artists: In 2014 there will be two major exhibitions seeking some of the best botanical paintings, both locally and internationally. These exhibitions are scheduled for September.
The first exhibition will be at the Everard Read Gallery in Rosebank. The whole Gallery will be devoted to artworks depicting plants, with one or two of the rooms being devoted to skilled plant portraiture. For this section, we are looking for the very best work currently being done, what I call the "Kirstenbosch Golds". The exhibition will open on 4 September.
Artists will not be restricted to producing four paintings that hang well together, nor will there be a theme, but we would encourage artists to portray as many indigenous species as possible—be proudly South African. There will be a very strict selection process for this exhibition. We want to showcase the very best we have to offer and will have to compete with all the fine artists, including some very prominent names in the industry.
The second exhibition will be the 21st World Orchid Conference at the Sandton Convention Centre from 10 to 14 September. The theme for the Conference is "Orchids: Gold in the Green Age". As yet I am not quite sure how this exhibition will run. The event organisers are keen to have an on-line Gallery as well as paintings exhibited during the Conference. Traditionally this is a judged exhibition with medals for the best artworks.
I am urging artists to start painting for these two exhibitions now. Don't start thinking about it this time next year as you will be so limited with plant choices. Then, please keep your masterpieces and don't sell, (unless the offer is just too good to resist). You are welcome to contact me for further details, but they will be communicated to BAASA members through the Blog site.
Just another teaser, especially for those not living in Gauteng, The Standard Bank Art Gallery in Johannesburg will be having an exhibition covering 300 Years of Botanical Art depicting South African plants. This is planned to open on 7 October 2014.
We look forward to hosting you in Gauteng over those two months, as they will be events not to miss.
Happy Painting
Gill Condy BAASA Gauteng, contact: g.condy@sanbi.org.za; 012 843 5052
The Botanical Artists Association of Southern Africa (BAASA) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting public awareness of botanical art in southern Africa. BAASA is open to all botanical artists, whether scientific illustrators or realistic flower painters, as well as collectors and those interested in furthering the tradition of botanical art.
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