Botaniko, Esperanto for botanical, comprises 18 botanical artists living in and around Hobart, Tasmania. Most of its members have been, at one time or another, students of one of Australia’s leading botanical artists, Lauren Black. Botaniko was formed in 2014.
The aim of the group is to foster the enjoyment of botanical art mainly through the medium of graphite drawing, colour pencils and/or watercolour; to pursue projects of botanical significance within Tasmania, culminating in an exhibition; and to continue developing skills through workshops with external artists. The members meet on a weekly basis from February to early December, working on a variety of individual and/or joint projects.
Since its inception members of the group have participated in a number of projects:
- 2014: Port Arthur Historic site: An Exotic Garden – Port Arthur: Unlocking the botanical journey, depicting plants transported to the Port Arthur penal settlement, along with convicts, a commandant, officers and soldiers.
- 2015: Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG): Reverend Robert Knopwood’s kitchen garden, depicting plants grown between 1804-1824, in the garden located on the land later occupied by Narryna in Battery Point, Hobart.
- 2016: A return to the Port Arthur Historic Site by invitation, to continue the journey: Port Arthur – An Exotic Garden: Unlocking the Botanical Journey Part 2. Plants of medicinal, culinary, and industrial significance used by the early settlers of the site in 1800’s.
- During 2017, most Botaniko members worked on a special project in association with the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, to commemorate the Garden’s bicentenary in 2018.
- 2018: The works for the 200th anniversary of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens were displayed in the POD at the Botanical Gardens in August and September 2018, with members of Botaniko in attendance each day.
- 2019: The current project for members is – Frederick Mackie – Quaker Plantsman. This project focusses on the plants recorded in Frederick Mackie’s Journal, A Traveller under Concern, written during his visits to Narryna from 1852-1855. This exhibition is scheduled for exhibition at Narryna Heritage Museum starting in September 2019.
- 2020: Next year, members of Botaniko will be working with the Tasmanian Herbarium and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) to paint a selection of native plants found growing on the property Wind Song, on the Tasmanian East Coast, part of which has recently been returned to the Traditional Owners by the Tenniswood family.
Botaniko Art Group Membership
The group has reached maximum capacity, however, should we be able to accommodate more members in the future, notification will appear on this site.
This exhibition travelled to a number of venues, by request, during 2017.