Australian National Botanic Gardens Growing, studying and promoting Australian plants
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	NEWS RELEASE

Paint it Black

Botanical artist Lauren Black will share the process and inspiration behind her highly acclaimed work at the Botanic Gardens next month.

On Sunday 16 July Lauren will demonstrate her painting techniques before presenting a public talk for visitors and enthusiasts. She will also conduct a workshop for artists on Friday 14 July.

Six of Lauren’s paintings are currently on display at the Gardens as part of the Flora Tasmanica exhibition of fine porcelain plates produced by ceramic artist Les Blakebrough.

Lauren Black began practising botanical art at Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens in 1997. She settled in Tasmania in 1999 and her passion for the Tasmanian wilderness has led to many projects and commissions, working jointly with botanists, artists, community and government organisations, and private clients.

“From the vast button grass plains to the ancient myrtle forests and the high mountain plateaux – the Tasmanian wilderness is unrivalled in beauty and fills me with inspiration,” Lauren said.

Lauren has recently published Tasmanian Flora: Limited Edition Botanical Portfolio, a volume of fine art prints from the original paintings produced for the Flora Tasmanica porcelain plates.

In 2005 she undertook an AsiaLink Arts Residency in Sri Lanka. In 2004 she was the inaugural winner of the Margaret Flockton Award for excellence in scientific botanical illustration.

In 2003 she curated ‘Nature of islands – worldwide contemporary botanical art’, the first international contemporary botanical art exhibition to be shown in Tasmania.

What: A day with Lauren Black - Flora Tasmanica botanical artist

Where: Visitor Centre, Australian National Botanic Gardens

When: Sunday 16 July

10.30am – 12.30pm – painting demonstration

1.30 – 2.30pm – public talk

Media contact: Paul Ziesing
Australian National Botanic Gardens
(02) 6250 9405
paul.ziesing@deh.gov.au