Exhibition 'Evergreen: the art and science of plants'

Connecting the realms of science and art, Evergreen: the art and science of plants considers the local history of botanical study at Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland and in the wider community in the twentieth century.  

In a unique collaboration between He Māra Mahara | Cultural Collections and the School of Biological Sciences, the exhibition explores the ways that scientists and artists have sought to depict, examine and understand the natural world around us. 

Individuals and groups around the world have long fostered the close study of flora and fauna for academic, aesthetic, economic and recreational purposes, leaning on the everchanging technology at hand. Evergreen taps into some of these methodologies, bringing together a range of published and archival material, botanical drawings and tools of analysis from the University’s diverse collections.

Included are an alluring suite of Brendel Models, that were acquired in 1900 by Professor Sir Algernon Thomas, the University’s first professor of natural science. Created for teaching and display purposes by R. Brendel & Co in Germany around the turn of the twentieth century, the unique anatomical plant models were hand-painted and are constructed from a variety of materials, including wire, wood and glass.

The technical tools are juxtaposed alongside a series of enchanting botanica ldrawings by Olive May Tonkin (1880-1954) from the University Art Collection.

Incorporating approaches spanning more than 100 years, Evergreen considers the unique bridge between art and science, exploring our evergreen fascination with plants.

You are invited to explore the exhibition and join the adjacent programming, including opportunities to explore the nearby McGregor Museum and University Gardens.