Tulipa ‘The Lizard’, watercolour on Kelmscott vellum, 7 x 4.25ins (17.8 x 10.8cm), by Fiona Strickland
In October 2016 Jonathan Cooper held the gallery’s first solo show with leading botanical artist Fiona Strickland.
Painting in watercolour on both Fabriano Artistico paper and Kelmscott vellum, Strickland seeks to engage and surprise viewers, often depicting flowers from an unusual viewpoint or at turning points in their life cycle, and her striking and dramatic works challenge perceptions of botanic art. Although botanically accurate, her paintings move beyond pure scientific representation, and are inspired by an emotive and artistic response, making each work a portrait that vividly captures the spirit of her subject.
