New Zealand’s ‘Botanical Art Worldwide Exhibiton’ now open for viewing
'Our Plants - Past, Present and Future'
O Tātou Tipu o Mua - o Ināianei me te Āpōpō'
Artists at the opening - from left - right
Jennifer Duval-Smith, Flo Pirotais, Sue Wickison, Jo Ewing, Jane Marshall Fitzgerald, Birgit Rhode, Val Cuthbert, Erin Forsyth, Sandra Morris, Amanda Ffion Bell, Lesley Alexander, Megan Lockwood, Gillian Receveur, Sara Bissielo, Claire Broughton and Helen Gunter
(Jenny Haslimeier absent from photo)
Our exhibition is now open for viewing!
What a fabulous opening night we had on 29 March, with 17 artists and families and distinguished guests all enjoying each other’s company and the beautiful artworks in the exhibition.
‘Cafe Miko’, at the Botanic Gardens catered the event, serving beautiful food and drink to everyone.
Lesley Alexander, President of BASNZinc was MC for the evening and introduced speakers during the formal part of the evening.
Viv Canham, President of the Friends of Auckland Botanic Gardens, spoke on behalf of the Friends who generously helped fund the project
Jack Hobbs, Gardens Manager spoke on behalf of the Gardens - it was a poignant moment for all who know Jack as it was his last public engagement before retiring after 48 years!
Sue Wickison spoke on behalf of the artists and lastly,
Sandra Morris spoke on behalf of the Society.
It was a very joyous occasion, meeting artists we only knew online, it’s always great to be able to put a face to a name and meet families who understand the time and commitment it takes to produce work to such a high calibre.
Claire Broughton - Piper excelsum - Kawakawa - Watercolour
Sarah Bissielo - Leptospermum scoparium - Manuka - ‘Dainty and Dense’ - Watercolour
The evening also saw the sale of four more artworks taking sales to five as Claire Broughton’s ‘Piper excelsum’ sold prior to hanging.
Others sold were Sara Bissielo’s ‘Leptospurmum scoparium Manuka’, Jane Marshall Fitzgerald’s ‘Morus nigra, Mulberry’, Yvonne Vannoort’s ‘Allium sativum ‘Te mata Fire’ and Lesley Alexander’s ‘Malus domestica ‘Monty’s Surprise’.
All sold artworks will stay with the travelling component of the exhibition, or if not touring will stay until the exhibition returns to Auckland in early December.
Cards also sold well on the evening!
Jane Fitzgerald - Morus nigra - Black Mulberry - Watercolour
Yvonne Vannoort - Allium sativum - Te mata Fire - Watercolour
Lesley Alexander - Malus domestica ‘Montys Surprise’ - Watercolour
The exhibition is on at the Auckland Botanic Gardens until 29 June, after which it will be on show at Wellington Botanic Gardens and Ashburton Art Gallery.
