- Partner exhibition returns to Saatchi Gallery from 9 – 29 April 2022 with pre-booking opening today
- Show to feature shortlisted botanical drawings and photographs by UK and international artists and photographers
- New highlights include botanical drawings of Rosulate Violas growing from the heights of the Andes Mountains, alongside short-listed macro photography of micro fungi
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and Saatchi Gallery continue their partnership and will present the 2022 RHS Botanical Art and Photography Show this April.
Following the success of the 2021 edition, the annual exhibition will return this Spring and will showcase new work from leading botanical artists and photographers across three galleries.
Entries for the show have been through a meticulous pre-selection process, where the scientific accuracy, technical skill and aesthetic appeal of the work is reviewed by an expert judging panel prior to the show opening, with artists and photographers awarded RHS Gold, Silver-Gilt, Silver and Bronze medals, as well as a series of special awards including ‘Best Botanical Art Exhibit’ and ‘Judge’s Special Award’.
In 2022, a diverse range of subjects will be presented by participants ranging from plants that have grown in the wake of the 2011 Great East Japan Tsunami to Rosulate Violas found at the height of the Andes Mountains. In addition, native British trees and hedgerow plants will complement illustrations of beautiful garden flowers. Anatomical drawings reveal the structure and form of some of our garden favourites, alongside explorations of the ecological and economic significance of many familiar fruits and flowers.
New photography entries include stereographic panoramas from various locations in the Hampshire New Forest and macro photography capturing the details of tiny Holly Parachute fungi. Flat lay photography of winter garden buds examines how different plants flourish, with multiple entries exploring rainbow themes across image series.
Former Gold medal winning exhibitors will also show their work alongside artists participating in the 2022 exhibition for the first time.
Last year’s award-winning exhibits included the delicately executed ‘Native British Deciduous Trees Featuring Galls’ by Pauleen Trim and the stunningly rendered ‘Endemic Plants of Japan’s Ogasawara Islands, A UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site’ from Kimiko Miyahara, setting a high standard of skill and creative flair. Gold awards for photography included Francesca Wilkinson’s ‘Full Circle – Studies of Cyclamen coum and Cyclamen hederifolium’, using varied focus for dreamy vanishing forms.
The show is a highlight in the calendar of the RHS Lindley Library, complementing its extensive collection of botanical artworks, photographs and illustrations which include more than 30,000 works.
Charlotte Brooks, Art Curator at the RHS, said: “We are thrilled to be exhibiting some of the most exciting botanical art and photography at Saatchi Gallery again this year. The work submitted has been of an extremely high standard and we are excited for these artists and photographers to have the opportunity to showcase their work and delight new audiences.”
Laura C. Uccello, Director of Partnerships at Saatchi Gallery, “The 2021 edition captured great interest from our visitors who enjoyed the crossover between contemporary art and science brought by this show to Saatchi Gallery. In 2022, we are excited to expand our partnership with the RHS and present new works by local and international artists which will further spark the curiosity of our audiences.”
The RHS Botanical Art & Photography Show will be open to the public from the 9th-29th April 2022 with free entry for RHS and Saatchi Gallery members.
For more information about the RHS Botanical Art & Photography Show visit: www.rhs.org.uk/showsevents/rhs-london-shows/rhs-botanical-art-and-photography-show
For press enquiries, please contact perrystewart@rhs.org.uk or helena@saatchigallery.com
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DATES AND OPENING HOURS
Press Preview: 8th April 10AM – 1PM, RSVP: www.saatchigallery.com/rhs22presspreview
Open to the public: 9 – 29 April 2022
10am – 6pm Monday – Sunday (last admission 5.30pm)
Winners announced: 10am, Friday 8th April 2022
TICKETS
Tickets from £5, available online atwww.saatchigallery.com/rhstickets
ADMISSION
From £5, concessions available; under 10s go free (T&Cs apply); Saatchi Gallery & RHS Members go free.
ORGANISATION
The RHS Botanical Art 2022 judging panel secretary is Charlotte Brooks, Art Curator at RHS Lindley Library and the RHS Photographic Competition judging panel secretary Sian Tyrrell, Head of Horticultural Information.
EXHIBITION SUPPORTERS
Riverstone, delivering exceptional London living for people over 65, is proud to support the 2022 RHS Botanical Art & Photography Show in partnership with Saatchi Gallery.
IMAGES
Publicity images can be downloaded via the Saatchi Gallery press page on this link. By downloading the images, you acknowledge and accept the terms and conditions found within the link. These images can only be reproduced to illustrate a review or criticism of a work or report as defined by section 30 (i) and (ii) of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Join the discussion about the exhibition online at:
#RHSSaatchiGallery
Instagram, Twitter, TikTok: @saatchi_gallery @the_rhs
Facebook: @saatchigalleryofficial @rhshome
SCHOOL VISITS & COMMUNITY GROUPS
With the generous support of all our patrons, for each major exhibition there are opportunities to engage with creative projects and workshops whether that be in-gallery, virtually, in the classroom or at home.
education@saatchigallery.com | +44(0)20 7811 3087
SAFETY MEASURES
The health and safety of visitors and staff is paramount. Safety measures for visitors can be found on the Saatchi Gallery website: www.saatchigallery.com/visit/covid-19-compliance
ABOUT THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY (RHS)
The Royal Horticultural Society, the world’s leading gardening charity, was founded in 1804 by Sir Joseph Banks and John Wedgwood. Our vision is to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. This aspiration underpins all that we do, from inspirational gardens and shows, through our scientific research, to our education and community programmes such as Campaign for School Gardening and Britain in Bloom. We produce key publications, hold a world-class collection of horticultural books and botanical art, and sell the very best plants and gardening gifts.
The RHS is fundraising £40m to transform our gardens, outreach and education facilities, which includes redeveloping our flagship RHS Garden Wisley and growing RHS Garden Bridgewater, our fifth RHS garden which opened in 2021.
The RHS is fundraising £40m to transform our gardens, outreach, and education facilities, which includes redeveloping our flagship RHS Garden Wisley and opening a new garden, RHS Garden Bridgewater, in 2021. We are solely funded by our members, visitors and supporters. For more information visit: www.rhs.org.uk
RHS Registered Charity No. 222879/SC038262
ABOUT SAATCHI GALLERY
Since 1985, Saatchi Gallery has provided an innovative platform for contemporary art. Exhibitions have presented works by largely unseen young artists, or by international artists whose work has been rarely or never exhibited in the UK. This approach has made the Gallery one of the most recognised names in contemporary art. Since moving to its current 70,000 square feet space in the Duke of York’s Headquarters in Chelsea, London, the Gallery has welcomed over 10 million visitors. The Gallery hosts over 5,000 schools visits annually and has over 6 million followers on social media. In 2019 Saatchi Gallery became a charity, beginning a new chapter in its history. www.saatchigallery.com
Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 4RY
Saatchi Gallery Registered Charity No. 1182328
For any press-related enquiries please contact helena@saatchigallery.com or pressoffice@rhs.org.uk
ABOUT RIVERSTONE
Riverstone has launched its first two prime London developments for over 65s in the vibrant enclaves of Kensington and riverside views at Fulham. Designed with a choice of lifestyle options and community in mind, quality of life and well-being sits at the heart of the Riverstone experience. To learn more about Riverstone Kensington: visit https://www.riverstoneliving.com/our-locations/riverstone-kensington and Riverstone Fulham: visit https://www.riverstoneliving.com/our-locations/riverstone-fulham