Botanical Conversations: the Science and Beauty of Plants
Lamb Gallery, Tower Building, University of Dundee
20 January – 31 March 2018
Mon-Fri 09.30-19.00 Sat 13.00-17.00
Plants form the basis of life on earth. They are vital to our health and well-being as well as being an amazing inspiration for creativity. This stimulating exhibition features highlights from the University’s amazing Herbarium collection, stunning botanical teaching charts and beautiful works of art inspired by plants. It describes the history of botany teaching at the University and also showcases some fascinating projects being carried out both here and at the James Hutton Institute, including:
- Researchers in the School of Life Sciences aiming to improve the digestibility of crop wastes
- The citizen science GROW Observatory at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design
- Researchers in the School of Social Sciences studying the effects of El Nino and other climate shocks on tropical forests
- The Beauty of Roots – paintings by Jean Duncan, artist in residence with the Centre for Environmental Change & Human Resilience, created in collaboration with soil scientists
- Work by the James Hutton Institute to improve environmental sustainability by promoting legume-based food systems
- Poetry inspired by the University herbarium curated by English and Creative Writing tutor Heather Yeung
Accompanying the exhibition in the Tower Foyer Gallery is a companion show by the University of Dundee Botanic Garden:
Exploring our own Backyard: Local plants and habitats in Dundee’s Botanic Garden
Tower Foyer Gallery, University of Dundee
20 January – 17 March 2018
Mon-Fri 09.30-19.00 Sat 13.00-17.00
The jewel in the University of Dundee Botanic Garden’s crown is its large native plants area. This is still unusual in botanic gardens, which have traditionally shown little interest in their natives. Dundee’s garden was founded in 1971 and was committed from the start to telling the story of Scottish plants and their ecology.
This exhibition highlights the Botanic Garden’s current project to revamp its native area to represent more accurately a variety of Tayside habitats. It also celebrates the work of William Gardiner, a working man from Dundee, who became a distinguished botanist in the first half of the nineteenth century and was the first to compile a flora for the local area.
SPECIAL EVENTS!
Rethinking Plants: the Science behind Sustainable Resources
Tues 27 Feb, 5.30-6.30pm, Baxter 1.36, Tower Building
Find out more about the cutting-edge research into plants being carried out at the University of Dundee and the James Hutton Institute. In a series of short talks from scientists and researchers, find out about rainforests, crop systems and why certain plants could help save the planet.
Speakers include:
- Isabelle Colas
- Mark Cutler
- Pete Iannetta
- Ali Karley
- Geoff Squires
Admission is free but places should be booked via Eventbrite
Join us in the Lamb Gallery beforehand for some faba bean ale!
Botanical Poetry - A Creative Writing Workshop
Sat 3 March 2-4pm, Lamb Gallery
Botany and poetry have been intertwined ways of looking at the world for centuries. What happens when poets look at plants and why have so many botanists turned to poetry? Have you ever been inspired to write botanical verse of your own? In this workshop led by poet and critic Heather H Yeung you will spend time in the Lamb Gallery exhibition Botanical Conversations, read past examples of botanical poetry, and have a go at writing your own.
Admission is free but places must be booked via Eventbrite
Exhibition Tour
Fri 9 March 12.30pm
Join Museum Curator Matthew Jarron, student curator Elena Miserotti and Botanic Garden engagement officer Neil Paterson for an informal guided tour of both exhibitions. Meet in the Tower Foyer. No need to book.
Plant Printing Workshop
Sat 17 March 2-4pm, Lamb Gallery
With artist Tina Scopa
Come and see the beautiful forms and pigments of our wild flowers by learning a very simple and easy plant printing technique that everyone can enjoy. You will never look at 'weeds' in the same way and you can learn how to turn your own into beautiful pictures.
Please meet in the Lamb Gallery. The workshop will begin with a short outdoor walk to collect plants - please dress appropriately. Tina has also asked that each participant bring their own spoon!
Suitable for adults and children aged 8+. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Admission is free but places must be booked via Eventbrite
