By Kayla Niemandt
Under the shade of the towering trees in the Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden (SUBG), art and nature met in full bloom on the weekend of 14 March. The Botanical Art Exhibition served as a platform for young, up-and-coming artists from across the country who demonstrated how a new generation is reshaping traditional botanical art into something vibrant, modern and deeply connected to environmental conservation.
The inspiration that birthed this exhibition struck Annerie Senekal, Acting Curator of SUBG, after seeing numerous artists tagging the gardens in posts featuring artwork inspired by their visits. A call for new voices in botanical art was sent out in December last year and was met with over 100 submissions. After a rigorous selection process in collaboration with Karen Stewart, who holds a Master’s degree in Philosophy specialising in Botanical Illustration and serves as Chair of the Botanical Artists’ Association of Southern Africa’s Cape branch, the curation journey began.
A key element of the project was the organisers’ recognition that the exhibition represented early-career expression. They therefore committed to ensuring artists could exhibit their work without major expenses. As a result, one hundred percent of the proceeds will go directly to the artists after SUBG waived its commission fee and exhibition costs. The exhibition also forms part of a larger initiative, made possible through the support of James and Shirley Sherwood, to launch SUBG’s first permanent botanical art collection in May 2026.
The driving force behind the initiative was to reignite and foster a deeper care for nature. Botanical art has long been associated with delicate scientific drawings and centuries-old plant studies. However, through bold colour, experimental techniques and fresh perspectives, young creatives have breathed new life into this timeless art form. “I’m also very happy to see quite a diverse set of people interested,” Senekal shared. “The reason why we as the SUBG even care about botanical art is that it can help people have an appreciation for plants that most people will never see in their lives. It can paint plants in their most beautiful phase which is then captured forever.”
Through this exhibition, a spotlight was placed on artists whose stories and passion rival the beauty of their talent and works. For many, it was their first time exhibiting. This brought people from all walks of life together – the youngest artist being just 10 years old. More than simply presenting work to a wider audience, the exhibition also offered opportunities for growth, professional development and informal mentorship.
Many artists spoke about learning to balance the administrative side of exhibiting, navigate the professional art world and refine the quality of their work. For some, the experience marked an important personal milestone. Exhibiting artist Bradley Wiehahn reflected on his journey into art: “Since probably early junior school, I used to sketch birds – even during class. Then I studied architecture and just kept sketching through that. In the last year I decided I actually want to give art a go. It means a lot; it’s the first time my work will be seen by others apart from my family.”
For others, the exhibition represented both validation and community. Artist Zoe McDonald described the moment her work was selected as deeply affirming. “My mom always told me that I have a talent to make something out of nothing,” she said. “I realised I can’t be the one to reject me, so when I found out my work got selected, I couldn’t stop smiling. What I’m most grateful for is how we can build each other up through our art.”
The exhibition will remain open to visitors 17 April, offering the public an opportunity to experience the works within the natural setting of the gardens. By bringing together emerging artists, experts and visitors in a shared space, the event highlights the growing interest in botanical art and the role institutions such as Stellenbosch University (SU) can play in supporting creative platforms for new talent.
