"Endangered Plants of Japan: A Florilegium"
2005-08-19 until 2005-10-02
Chicago Botanic Garden
Glencoe, IL, USA United States of America

Botanical illustrations of Japan‚s rare and endangered plants will be on display in the Chicago Botanic Garden's Gallery at the Garden from Aug. 19 through Oct. 2, 2005. In 1998, the Japanese Association of Botanical Illustration took on the ambitious project of painting Japan's rarest flora from living specimens to focus public attention on the increased risk facing flora through habitat loss and over collecting. In 2004, members published the book, "Endangered Plants of Japan: A Florilegium," featuring 182 illustrations by 75 Japanese artists.

Seventy-two of these paintings, each by a different artist, travels to the United States for an exhibit at the National Arboretum, Washington, D.C., and later at the Chicago Botanic Garden. It is the first exhibition of the paintings in North America. The National Arboretum displayed the paintings in two parts: the first from March 1 through April 20 and the second from May 1 through June 23. The entire exhibit will be on display at the Chicago Botanic Garden from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Sunday, Oct. 2. Admission to the exhibit and the Garden is free. Parking is $12.

The Japanese Association of Botanical Illustration was founded in 1991 to foster a love and understanding of nature through the creation and appreciation of botanical art. Japan‚s endangered plant species are of special concern to the association. The 182 species presented in the "Endangered Plants of Japan: A Florilegium" represent just 10 percent of the total endangered plants in Japan.

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for the State of Illinois

Other Important Exhibitions in Illinois