Botanical Art Worldwide 2025
Looking Back for Our Future
United Kingdom
(excluding Scotland)
About the exhibition
The May 2025 exhibition will focus on and celebrate, 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.
artwork
Shelia Liddle, Dabinett blossom, Malus domestica "Dabinett"
Dabinett cider apples have been grown in Somerset since the 1900s. Global warming through climate change is having a significant impact with apple blossom appearing earlier in the year when the pollinating insects are not so prolific and late frosts destroying unpollinated blossom, subsequently affecting the yield.
Dianne Frank, Brussels Sprouts, Brassica oleracea, variety gemmifera
A stalwart of allotments and kitchen gardens, Brussels sprouts thrive in cooler climates which, are characteristic of countries in the Northern Hemisphere. Less harmed by wet weather than heat they might, despite climate changes, remain a common crop here. Lets hope we can continue to depend on this 'doer' despite so much uncertainty about growing conditions in general.
organizers
Association of Botanical Artists (Lead role)
Society of Botanical Artists
Birmingham Society of Botanical Artists
Wales Society of Botanical Illustrators
Eden Project - Florilegium Society
steering committee
Elaine Allison (Chair)
Alan Cody
Diane Marshall
Jeni Neale
Linda Joseph
Barbara Taylor
Jacqueline Ashton
jurors
Martin Allen
Helen Allen
Pamela Taylor
Elaine Allison (Adjudicator)
Lynn Parker
Venues
Royal Birmingham Society of Artists Gallery, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Additional Venues
Marianne North Gallery, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Association of Botanical Artists Online Gallery (https://www.assocbotanicalartists.com/gallery )
for more information
visit https://www.assocbotanicalartists.com/baw-2025,
or email botanicalartworldwide@gmail.com
Botanical Art Worldwide 2018
In Ruskin’s Footsteps
About this Exhibition
A new organization has been formed as an umbrella for receiving entries and hosting the worldwide exhibition in Britain, the Association of British Botanical Artists (ABBA). The exhibition will hang in the Peter Scott Gallery, in association with the Ruskin Library at Lancaster University in Bailrigg, Lancaster, a repository for a large portion of John Ruskin’s diaries, books, and drawings. Dates of the exhibition are May 18 - June 9, 2018, with special event open days being held on Saturday, May 19 and Saturday, June 9. A jury team consisting of five notables in the field, Helen Allen, Brent Elliott, Christabel King, Martyn Rix, and Ann Swan, has selected the works to be included in the exhibition. Artists whose works were accepted are: Elaine Allison, Christine Battle, Miggy Bruce, Helen Cavalli, Susan Conroy, Jackie Copeman, Joanna Craig McFeely, Gaynor Dickeson, Sandra Doyle, Lesley Edmondson, Margaret Fitzpatrick, Gillian Foster, Mally Francis, Gillian Geary, Joan Giles, Anne Girling, Lizzie Harper, Christina Hart Davies, Christabel King, Annie Morris, Polly O'Leary, Penny Price, Roger Reynolds, Billy Showell, Ann Swan, Pamela Taylor, Julia Trickey, and Claire Ward.
Find more info here, including an excellent blog, on ABBA's website: https://www.britishbotanicalartists.com/
artwork
Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) is a large deciduous shrub in the Rose family. Christine Battle's rendition of this very familiar British shrub shows its beautiful spring flowers in graphite, with full color focusing on its plum-like, tart fruits and the thorns so distinctive to the plant.
Prunus spinosa, blackthorn, watercolor and graphite, ©Christine Battle
Artist Sarah Morrish, studying bluebells in a wood. Photo courtesy Sarah Morrish.
Organizers
Association of British Botanical Artists
Steering Committee
Gaynor Dickeson
Sarah Morrish
Dianne Sutherland
exhibition Venue
Ruskin Library at Lancaster University
Photo courtesy Ruskin Library, Lancaster University
Location
Ruskin Library, Lancaster University