“Portraits of Nature: Blending Science and Art” at Polytechnic campus Library (Exhibits)

Mexican Gold Poppy, © Susan E. Ashton

Exhibit: Portraits of Nature – Blending Science and Art

Artists: Southwest Society of Botanical Artists

Location: Polytechnic campus Library

Available: Jan. 4, 2013 – March 30, 2013 during normal library hours

Description: Join in a celebration of the beauty of nature at this juried exhibition by the Southwest Society of Botanical Artists (SWSBA). Examine the works close-up to explore the intricacy and beauty of flora and fauna.
SWSBA is the Arizona chapter of the American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA). SWSBA’s members have backgrounds in fine arts, graphic arts, business, technology, and education, but they all share a love of the natural world, especially plants.

Botanical art combines science and art. Artists seek to understand the structure of plants and to communicate this knowledge in an aesthetically pleasing manner. The range of styles includes scientific illustration, usually in pen and ink, as well as realistic drawing and painting of botanical subjects in watercolor and other media. Centuries of notable botanical art created for botanists, physicians, plant collectors, horticulturists, and connoisseurs continue to inspire today’s botanical artists.

This exhibit includes a variety of artworks by local artists and includes native plants of Arizona, plants of other locales, and creatures of the natural world.

For more information about ASBA, see http://asba-art.org/