fantasy herbaria of Anne Ten Donkelaar

Gardens are inspiration engines, filled with mesmerizing sights, sounds, and scents. For an artist, it’s a bottomless treasure trove of ideas. Have a look at the “flower constructions” of Anne Ten Donkelaar.

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(from “Dearest Nature“)

The “flower constructions” series of photographic images are made of paper cutouts and dried plants. Note the pins holding the pieces in place, giving a unique 3-D effect to her work.

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Fantastical and surreal, yes, but I love how it also alludes to centuries of scholarly collecting and mounting of herbarium specimens.

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In the series “broken butterflies,” again the scientific collecting of lepidoptera specimens is referenced, but poetic emphasis is placed on their inherent transformative powers, as bits of damaged butterflies are tenderly combined with other materials to make fantastical new creatures, rechristened with names like “Queen of Wings” and “Rainbow Warrior.”

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In the “underwater ballet” series, dream-like images are taken of flowers that have been anchored in water, in which the flowers “float gracefully around in the cold water, capturing a silent image of a spirited dance.” (via Design Guru)

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Gardens — a perpetual inspiration feedback loop.

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