“botanical” juried by Lee Anne White | GalleryTalk
The botanical exhibition, juried by Lee Anne White, was in the online gallery from March 14 to April 24, 2025. Lee Anne selected forty seven images from forty two artists for the exhibition. Kathleen Furey’s image The Introduction received the Juror’s Award. Honey J Walker’s image Dance of the Water Lilies received the Director’s Award.
Juror’s Statement
Plants are such fascinating subjects. Not only are they beautiful, they may also be fragrant, edible, medicinal or otherwise useful. They create habitats for other plants and creatures, and we build our own homes from trees, as well. They are constantly changing through the days, seasons and years—providing an ever changing view, all while helping us to more openly embrace the natural cycles of life. Whether growing in the wild, a designed landscape or pocket garden, plants help create a strong sense of place. And plants help us to connect both to the natural world and to each other.
The photographers in this show have exhibited a strong sense of curiosity about the botanical world, conveyed a passion for plants and demonstrated unbounded creativity. Haunting is a word that frequently came to mind as I looked over the selections. Some, such as Kathleen Furey’s The Introduction (Juror’s Award), which not only conveys the exquisite nature of dahlia flowers, but imbues them with emotion through gesture and lighting, were hauntingly beautiful. Others were haunting in a more mysterious way and left me wanting to know and see more.
It was an honor and pleasure to serve as the juror of Botanical—to spend extended time immersed in photographs of my favorite subject. That said, making selections was not an easy task. The depth of quality submissions was impressive. I was not able include all of those deserving of inclusion. The photographs in this exhibition not only met all of the standard criteria, they excelled in some unique way. Some were bold and eye-catching; others more subtle, with an emotional tug. Some expressed the complex and often chaotic nature of the landscape; others focused on simplicity and conveying the personality of a single plant. Some were as true to life as a photograph can be; others pushed the boundaries of reality in creative ways. Some were almost scientific in nature; while others were more metaphorical. Digital, film and alternative photographic processes are all represented here.
Anyone can make a photograph of a beautiful plant. To make a beautiful and meaningful photograph of a plant is a different task altogether—requiring keen observation, an artistic eye, a good dose of creativity and a passion for plants. Congratulations to all selected for this exhibition.
Lee Anne White
March, 2025