Online Discussion: How Artists and Biologists See Plants Differently

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About

This online discussion forum compares how artists represent plants and compares them with specimens from the George F. Ledingham Herbarium's collection.

Four artists (Heather Shillinglaw, Laurel Terlesky, Rachel Broussard, Alyssa Ellis) for whom the complex biology of plants is a subject will show and discuss examples of their work. Artists will discuss why they value the plants they depict in their artworks, how their method of representation reveals unseen or unknown qualities of their botanical subjects and their perspectives on the role of the artist.

A biologist will show a complimentary image of a dried plant specimen from the George F. Ledingham Herbarium's collection. The biologist will briefly outline the goals of biologists in representing plants and how their approach differs from that of artists. For example, all specimens must be uniform in presentation while novelty and invention are valued in the work of artists.

The discussion will also encompass connections between biologists' and artists' understanding of plants will also be discussed. For instance, artist Laurel Terlesky's botanical drawings illuminate when touched making visible the fact that all living beings carry an electrical charge on the surface of their cells.

Evolution, cultivation, extinction and domestication of plants are additional topics addressed by artists and biologists. Artist Heather Shillinglaw stitches a record in thread of traditional knowledge passed onto her from a family member and elder in her large-scale embroideries of medicine plants foraged by her ancestors.

Artist and horticulturalist Alyssa Ellis delves into the codependent relationship of care between humans and houseplants. Rachel Broussard uses plant and animal bodies cut from the pages of scientific textbooks to spell messages of environmental doom, recognizing the interconnectedness and vulnerability of all species in an ecosystem.

This forum will be recorded with ASL translation and can be viewed free, on-demand through the Art Gallery of Regina's website, YouTube account and Facebook Live videos.

Links

• Event details artgalleryofregina.ca
• Watch Online youtube.com

Organizer

Art Gallery of Regina

The Art Gallery of Regina is a visionary in contemporary art programming that reflects our time and place within an engaged and diverse community.

Mission

Our mission is to support artists and engage audiences through contemporary art programming.

Supporting artists involves supporting artists' vision and voices, from every level of Saskatchewan's cultural ecology, by:

seeking out and encouraging artists with group and solo exhibition opportunities;

hosting captivating exhibitions in which gallery visitors can locate their interests and experiences;

providing professional development opportunities;

providing supportive experiences for exhibiting artists;

providing open access opportunities for amateur and recreational artists; and

facilitating connections between artists and artists and the larger community.

Engaging audiences includes attracting, involving, inspiring and creating community, and a sense of identity and place, through:

free admission to all exhibitions;

affordably-priced and accessible public workshops;

free artist talks and opportunities to connect with professional artists; and

thought-provoking and accessible didactic materials.

Innvovative and collaborative partnerships with community and arts organizations to expand outreach and diversity.

Values

We practice these values in our planning, decision-making and behaviour:

Contemporary – We exhibit contemporary art that has meaning to our diverse communities, showing work that is relevant to our time and place.

​Accountability -- We function with high standards of operations and accountability that support AGR's sustainability.

​Community Engagement-- We are inviting, welcoming, and supportive to the public and artists while continually expanding our community both regionally and locally.