Petals on the Banner: plants and revolution

Tracing their geographical origins, we unravel the part plants have played in colonialism and empire building. Taking in the meticulous and ingenious 17th/18th-century works of Mary Delany and Rachel Ruysch, we'll see how these artists contributed strikingly to the world of botany at a time when women were restricted in the pursuit of science. Juxtaposing these representations with contemporary art, we'll explore how plants can challenge the status quo, such as the essentialist conception of individuality.

Charlotte Salter-Townshend studied History and Philosophy and completed an MPhil in Public History and Cultural Heritage at Trinity College Dublin. For over a decade, she worked as a guide at the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland, designing and delivering talks and tours on a wide range of topics and issues relating to plant life. In 2022 she joined expedition cruises as a Botany and History Lecturer and travelled to regions including Scottish islands, South America, and Antarctica. She is currently doing an MSc in Biodiversity and Conservation at Trinity.

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