RBGE presents two Magnificent Exhibitions to take part in the Edinburgh Art Festival
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s (RBGE) two remarkable exhibitions are joining forces to be a part of the Edinburgh Art Festival 2023.
Article Source: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Last Updated: 10 July 2023 12:25
This year is the 19th year of the Art Festival and it is gearing up to be one of the largest yet.
Shipping Roots, an exhibition by Keg de Souza is taking place at Inverleith House, in the heart of the Garden. Connecting Histories, a beautiful botanical art exhibition is housed at the John Hope Gateway gallery. Both showcase in various ways the plants that were brought to India by the British during colonial times.
Over the course of six rooms, De Souza's specially commissioned work creates immersive environments that incorporate archival materials like botanical illustrations and herbarium specimens, sculpture, textiles, prints, plants, sounds, and smells. This encourages viewers to consider the movement of plants and what they reveal.
Connecting Histories presents a rare collection of Indian botanical drawings, preserved in the archives of RBGE, highlighting the organisation's long-standing ties to India. The artworks depict the geographic spread of plants brought in by the British Empire while also illustrating a crucial period in the history of Indian art.
The British hired Indian artists to paint and draw the plants they imported. All bar three of the illustrations are plants that the British brought to India during colonial times. The messaging compliments the stories told in the Shipping Roots exhibition.
The Indian artists used surrounding natural resources in ingenious ways to create and manage their art. They cleverly used plants to create their paints. Yellow was created from Garcina pictorial, red and purple from Oldenlandia umbellate and so on. To contain their paints, they meticulously gathered mussel and oyster shells, and crafted paint brushes from camel hair.
In Inverleith House, one of the rooms in the Shipping Roots exhibition tells the story of the movement of eucalyptus. The ceiling is covered with the dried plant and infuses the room with its natural pine like fragrance. The space tells the narrative of how eucalyptus is the quickest and tallest growing hardwood in the world, noted by the British, who exported it from Australia and marketed it to India and America. It currently covers 22 million hectares of land worldwide and has been responsible for numerous destructive forest fires due to the oil in its leaves.
Image: Keg D’Souza - Shipping Roots Exhibition
Sponsored Links
Latest Edinburgh News
Merlin Entertainments announces Edinburgh Dungeon Resident Sale
Merlin Entertainments is kicking off the new year with an exciting announcement: the Dungeon Resident Sale has arrived, offering a spooktacular 50% discount for residents at their nearest Dungeon!
READ MORE
There is plenty for fans of South Asian film to enjoy this month at Vue Edinburgh Ocean
As the appetite for South Asian content continues to grow across the UK, Vue Edinburgh Ocean is proud to be showcasing films from across the region throughout the year.
READ MORE
Pawsome New Year Resolutions remove over 39 million pieces of litter
Dog owners making an environmental New Year Resolution have boosted the ranks of the “PAWS ON PLASTIC’ charity to 27,000.
READ MORE
Burns Feast and Free Ceilidh at Bonnie & Wild
Edinburgh Food Hall Bonnie & Wild honours Scotland’s National Bard with a ‘Burns Feast’ and free ceilidh!
READ MORE
Blank Street pop up tram stop serves free coffee 24th and 25th January
Buzz worthy brand, Blank Street is coming to Edinburgh with the Blank Street Express Line, an immersive tram stop pop-up, designed to inject some magic into the mundane.
READ MORE
Border Caravans Announced as Headline Sponsor of the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show
The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show is delighted to announce Border Caravans as the new headline sponsor for this year's event.
READ MORE
Diving Into History as Glenogle Swim Centre Hosts Great Lengths Exhibition
The ‘Your Health is for Life – Great Lengths’ exhibition comes to historic Glenogle Baths, a stunning Victorian facility in the heart of Stockbridge, as it marks its 125th anniversary year.
READ MORE
World Gaelic Week unveils largest programme to date
Seachdain na Gàidhlig has unveiled details of its most diverse, ambitious and largest programme to date, bringing together speakers, learners and enthusiasts from across Scotland and beyond.
READ MORE
Roxy Rose Street launches Ballers Bottomless Brunch
Roxy Lanes Rose Street launches The Ballers Bottomless Brunch featuring 90 minutes of competitive fun with a game of your choice, bottomless drinks, and American-style sharers.
READ MORE
Milestone move as National Galleries of Scotland to host the Scottish Portrait Awards 2026
The Scottish Portrait Awards are back and bigger than ever, as the Scottish Arts Trust and National Galleries of Scotland announce a landmark move to the Portrait gallery for 2026!
READ MORE
Stay Active this January at Gravity Active
Don’t let the shorter days and chilly weather get you down this January, stay active and experience boundless fun at Gravity Active!
READ MORE
Beat the January Blues with Family Tickets Offer at Volcano Falls in Edinburgh
Volcano Falls is inviting families to get rid of the winter gloom with a special online-only offer – 20% off family tickets Sunday 19th January 2025!
READ MORE
Music superstar Ed Sheeran surprises young musicians in Edinburgh
Music superstar Ed Sheeran surprises young musicians in Edinburgh with visit to Tinderbox Collective to launch his new Foundation supporting music education.
READ MORE
Duck & Waffle Edinburgh Celebrates Burns Night with an affordable set menu
Duck & Waffle Edinburgh will celebrate Burns Night on Saturday January 25th in honour of famed Scottish poet Robert Burns, with a chef-curated set menu for under £30.
READ MORE
Strike a PAWse: Brand new Valentine event for dogs at Dobbies
Dobbies is encouraging paw-rents across the UK to show their pooches some love this Valentine's Day at its brand-new dog event that will raise money for national dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust.
READ MORE
BrewDog launches brand new Touchdown Lager ahead of big game watch parties in Glasgow and Edinburgh
BrewDog, is partnering with Tesco to launch a brand new grid-iron inspired Wingman Lager. If only there was a massive game coming up that it could tie-in perfectly with...
READ MORE
Cruden Homes and City Of Edinburgh Council support North Edinburgh Community Festival with Donation
North Edinburgh Community Festival (NECF), one of the city’s most anticipated family-friendly events, has received a £2,000 donation from Cruden Homes and City of Edinburgh Council.
READ MORE
Scots brewery launches series of Iron Brew beers to beat January blues
Edinburgh-based brewer Vault City has paid tribute to an iconic Scottish drink, launching a four-part series of Irn-Bru-inspired sour beers.
READ MORE
Brace yourselves, burger lovers... Veganuary just got an upgrade!
Veganuary is well and truly underway and Fat Hippo's BurgerLab has been cooking up a limited-edition vegan masterpiece that proves going vegan doesn't mean skimping on the good stuff!
READ MORE
The Biscuit Factory announces a range of new events in celebration of its neighbours
The Biscuit Factory, housed in the historic Crawford’s Biscuits on Anderson Place in Leith, is thrilled to announce a slew of new and exciting events for 2025.
READ MORE
Roxy Leisure partner with Everleaf and Lucky Saint for Dry January
For Dry January 2025, Roxy Leisure is teaming up with premium non-alcoholic brands Everleaf and Lucky Saint, offering guests exclusive mocktails and promotions from 2nd - 31st January.
READ MORE
Coming This Month: Trio of Stunning Varna International Ballet Performances
Edinburgh Playhouse welcomes Varna International Ballet’s trio of stunning performances this month!
READ MORE
Dynamic Earth Expands Inclusive Access with New 2025 Relaxed Opening Dates
Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh’s Science Centre and Planetarium, is excited to announce two additional Relaxed Opening Hours sessions as part of its continued commitment to inclusivity.
READ MORE
Lost Shore Surf Resort to Launch Inaugural Wellbeing Month in January
Lost Shore Surf Resort, Europe’s largest inland surf resort in Ratho, Edinburgh, is kicking off the New Year with its first-ever Wellbeing Month, launching on 1st January 2025.
READ MORE
First Minister John Swinney launches the Doddie Aid 2025 campaign
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney launches the Doddie Aid 2025 campaign at Murrayfield stadium.
READ MORE
The Edinburgh Gin Distillery At The Arches
World-renowned distillers, Edinburgh Gin, has opened the doors to its brand new distillery at The Arches.
READ MORE
Acclaimed Chinese art exhibit brings vibrant Chinese New Year celebrations to textile heartland of Scotland
A highly acclaimed textile exhibit celebrating part of China’s intangible cultural heritage will make its UK debut when it goes on display at the Great Tapestry of Scotland!
READ MORE
Back by popular demand: Murder on the Midnight Express returns to Somewhere By Nico
Back by popular demand, Murder on the Midnight Express is making its highly anticipated return to Somewhere by Nico in Edinburgh and Glasgow for a limited time only.
READ MORE
Fort Kinnaird confirms festive opening hours
Fort Kinnaird has confirmed its festive opening times for last minute shopping and anyone planning a day out with family and friends over the Christmas period.
READ MORE
Australian superstar Jason Donovan makes a much anticipated return to one of his most famous roles
Jason Donovan makes a much anticipated return to one of his most famous roles: playing Frank-N-Furter in Richard O'Brien's anarchic musical, The Rocky Horror Show at Edinburgh Playhouse.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links