Wonderfully intricate botanical paintings contributed by 35 of Japan’s best contemporary artists filled The Shirley Sherwood Gallery over the winter of 2017, showcasing the natural beauty of plants such as Camellias, Cherry Trees and the Japanese maple. These stunning watercolours were mostly painted from plants collected all over Japan but a couple of works were painted from specimens originating from Kew Gardens, such as Junko Iwata’s depiction of the majestic Japanese Snowbell.
The exhibition included works never before seen outside Japan, including historic drawings and paintings by some of Japan’s most revered botanists and artists such as Dr Tomitaro Makino (1863 – 1957), Sessai Hattori and Chikusai Kato (Edo period artists).
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