The Herbology Room Exhibition

The Herbology Room
@theherbologyroom
@theplantroom
@leedslibraries



Today I finally found the time to visit Leeds Central Library and their 'Herbology Room' exhibition. Part of the wider 'Harry Potter: A History of Magic' installation, The Herbology Room is a beautiful space put together in association with the lovely curators in everything botanical: The Plant Room. This installation and exhibition aims to celebrate the power (and magic) of plants and creates a super special environment to escape and get back to nature.

What I really loved about the Herbology Room, aside from the beautiful exotic and poisonous plant installation, the carefully placed hanging dried plant specimens and the atmosphere created by the low lit succulents in terrariums - the carefully chosen botanical illustrations were in particular stunning. Hanging from the walls, or as posters or prints for sale, the curators had chosen to showcase intricate and traditional botanical works by William Curtis, picked out of his illustrated herbal "Flora Londinensis" - 1777. Not only this, the original 6 volume publication of the "Flora Londinensis" was also presented in a cabinet which was really special to see in the flesh. 
Much of the botanical illustration we see today is often showcased as isolated works appreciated as pieces of art and taken out of their original context (herbals, medicinal publications, agricultural works etc). Flora Londinensis, along with many original herbal publications and botanical compendium works (housing the array of illustrations which most of my research project is centred around) - have remained prized items - rarely touched or seen by the public, therefore viewing this publication gave me a real sense of the importance, beauty and value of botanical illustrations sat alongside their scientific text as originally intended by both artist and botanist. 



At this stage of my COP3 research project, it was really rewarding and reassuring to undergo some primary research and see works by botanical illustrators and botanists being celebrated. More importantly however, it was amazing seeing key figures who synergise with and who I recognise from my research project and essay - being showcased. I truly believe we are currently experiencing a renaissance in the appreciation for botanical art and illustration (both vintage and contemporary) as well as a new found love for all things nature and plant based, something which this exhibition and installation is a key example of.



Artists works on show in this exhibition

Modern day, contemporary illustration:
Katie Scott 

Historical, traditional, vintage illustration:
William Curtis
James Sowerby 
Sydenham Edwards
William Kilburn

Practical Response - Research: Amy Stewart

When researching into plant varieties and potential categories and groupings of plants for my series of botanical visual compendium prints, I have come across the following author and her series of charming publications. 


Amy Stewart and her book "Wicked Plants: The A-Z of Plants That Kill, Maim, Intoxicate and Otherwise Offend" has many similarities to my own practical rationale, ideas and aims for this project. Whilst remaining scientifically accurate, Stewart describes, provides key history and fun (or tragic) information about some of the most dangerous plants ever encountered. The book communicates this useful information using beautiful woodcut illustrations for each plant as well as language understandable to the layman - helping it appeal and reach a far wider audience than just the scientific community. What really stands out about this book is how the design and use of illustration helps to create intrigue about science and our worlds flora  for the audience. It is a great example of how the universal language of illustration can be used to communicate scientific ideas and information as well appealing to the the artistic community. The artwork is also functional - for the illustrations in this book can be used to identify the dangerous species of plants. The beautiful illustrations in this book which work along side the arrangement of fascinating facts have no doubt helped it to achieve the many book awards in the last year and it would not have the same appeal if it just contained text alone.

In reading about Stewart and her other publications, I can see a lot of myself in what she finds interesting and fascinating about the natural world and how she approaches communication and inspiring her audience. Exploring nature as a subject has never proved dull for me and throughout my practical work I have always wanted to create artwork that not only looks aesthetically pleasing and interesting, but also communicates an idea, moral or can educate and inspire the audience and challenge perceptions of truth.

Throughout this project I have gained a new found appreciation for how our worlds flora has influenced every aspect of our lives as humans - from key building materials, food, medicine, technological and scientific advancements, to the make up of the materials used by artists. Plants continue to surprise and inspire me the more I learn about them and I want to pass this inspiration on whilst educating the audience viewing my work. For me, creating artwork for this project is a celebration of how amazing plant life is and how it needs to be preserved and respected, in order for us to gain and learn from what they have to offer us. This publication by Stewart is an example of everything I want to achieve with my series of prints and the practical response to my project research. I can also see value in the cleaver use of intriguing subject matter and categorisation to create interest - such as poisonous & deadly plants where the audience wants to know more. Through choosing to showcase plants with certain effects / uses / intriguing history - the audience can be inspired and educated not only on plants found deep in the heart of the jungle - but also on the plants commonly seen in our back gardens.

The categories of plants covered in 'Wicked Plants' are as follows:

• Deadly
• Painful
• Offensive
• Destructive
• Intoxicating
• Illegal
• Endnotes: Antidote

Etchings by Briony Morrow-Cribbs

Illustrations by Jonathan Rosen

The Artwork

The artwork used throughout this publication is an example of how botanical illustration remains a popular medium with a purpose and application within contemporary society. Here the artwork is being used to educate, inspire and echoes the traditional scientific illustration style and woodcut print process of the botanical artwork dating back to the 1500's - like Leonhart Fuchs and Albrecht Meyer - as covered in my essay (fig. right)

What is important about this publication is that the illustrations have remained in their intended context - within a scientific style publication working alongside the text describing it. Much of the botanical illustration we appreciate today has been taken out of the 'Herbal' texts or scientific journals they originally appeared in - to then be appreciated and enjoyed as stand alone pieces of artwork separate from and often without scientific annotations. This publication therefore is a refreshing modern take on the past illustrated herbals and shows the success of using text and image together to educate and appeal to a wider audience - those who appreciate biology and plant life (science) as well as those who appreciate art.

Other Amy Stewart Publications:

Georg Ehret - My New Favourite Illustrator

Probably the happiest artwork has made me in ages, is delving into the works of Ehret. Aside from wishing I was gifted with skill to depict plants in this way, just being excited about his works fills me with confidence that spending my time reseraching all day about plants and botanical illustrators - is not a wasted day.


I'll just leave this here :)