Chelsea Physic Garden
Research, Writing, Identity, Exhibition design, Interpretive display
2023
Rendering of LGBTQ+ Flags display at Chelsea Physic Garden
For LGBTQ+ History Month 2023, Chelsea Physic Garden collaborated with Queer Botany to look at plants, fungi and lichen through a queer lens.
Queer Botany is a project initiated by Sixto-Juan Zavala that studies connections between queerness and plants through events, storytelling, and design. Since the 1400s and the expansion of western colonial powers, nature and plants have been examined through a predominantly heteronormative, European, and male point of view. The project aims to share marginalised perspectives and support more diverse representations in the environment and outdoors. We want queer and marginalised stories from culture and nature to inform our understanding of the world.
3-spot colour offset printed map on recycled paper
Historically, the LGBTQ+ community has often been referred to as ‘unnatural’, however, the ‘natural’ world has many characteristics that can be seen as queer. One example is the variety of plants and their sexual diversity. There is also a cultural link between queerness and the symbolism of flowering plants, which can be found in terms like ‘pansy’, or ‘a streak’ or ‘dash' of lavender.
Introduction display, printed on natural linen with willow branches and grommets, Photo by Fikayo Adebajo
Time Rhizome display, printed on natural linen with bamboo and grommets, Photo by Fikayo Adebajo
LGBTQ+ Flags display, Photo by Fikayo Adebajo
LGBTQ+ Flags display, Photo by Fikayo Adebajo
LGBTQ+ Flags display, Photo by Fikayo Adebajo
Label UV printed on birch, Photo by Fikayo Adebajo
Rendering of LGBTQ+ Scientists banners
LGBTQ+ Scientists display, Photo by Fikayo Adebajo
LGBTQ+ Scientists display, Photo by Fikayo Adebajo
Label UV printed on birch plywood, Photo by Fikayo Adebajo
Lichen Bench, Printed on natural linen with grommets and velcro, Photo by Fikayo Adebajo
Lichen Bench, Printed on natural linen with grommets and velcro, Photo by Fikayo Adebajo
Label UV printed on birch plywood, Photo by Fikayo Adebajo
Photo by Fikayo Adebajo
PROGRAMMING
Queer Botanical Poetry Reading host Bella Cox, Photo by Fikayo Adebajo
Queer Botanical Poetry Reading audience, Photo by Fikayo Adebajo
Queer Botanical Poetry Reading poets, Photo by Fikayo Adebajo
Queer Botanical Drawing Session with Edward Luke Thrush
Queer Botanical Drawing Session with Edward Luke Thrush
Spells & Science Writing Workshop with LiLi K. Bright
Chelsea Physic Garden
Deputy Director, Visitor Experience: Frances Sampayo
Head of Learning and Public Engagement: Katy Parry
Public Programme Manager: Elli Dimaki
Head Gardener: Nell Jones
Marketing Manager: Rachel Bates
Commercial Director: Tom Gilliford
Contractors
Making and Installation: Rosa Pascual
Artist leading Botanical Drawing Sessions: Edward Luke Thrush
Writer leading writing workshops: LiLi K. Bright
Evening Botanist Panelists: Maymana Arefin & Andy Marks
Poets: Linden McMahon, Tom McLaughlin, & SZ Shao
Poetry Reading Host: Bella Cox
Poetry BSL Interpreter: Peter Abraham
Vendors
Map Printing and Folding: Aldgate Press
Fabric Printing: Prinfab
Plant Labels UV Printing: Bespoke Laser UK
