Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Botanical Art & Photography Exhibitions
The RHS Botanical Art Show is the TOP juried botanical art show in the UK - and the world!
No other show displays a minimum of six botanical artworks from each exhibiting botanical artist/illustrator.
The show always includes international exhibitors from Europe, Asia, Australasia and Africa.
No other show displays a minimum of six botanical artworks from each exhibiting botanical artist/illustrator.
The show always includes international exhibitors from Europe, Asia, Australasia and Africa.
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READ THIS PAGE to
Saatchi Gallery, Chelsea - home of the new longer exhibition of botanical art and photography
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VIEW ARCHIVE: RHS Botanical Art Shows 2007-2021 This includes:
VIEW Exhibit Titles at RHS Botanical Art Shows - categorises the titles of past gold medal winning exhibits. You may be surprised at the result.... READ Tips from RHS Gold Medal Winners in the Education section |
The RHS Exhibitions include both
Botanical Illustration and Art and Botanical Photography (Portfolio).
Botanical Illustration and Art and Botanical Photography (Portfolio).
RHS Botanical Art and Photography Show 2022
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The RHS Botanical Art & Botanical Photography Show 2022 is being held at the Saatchi Gallery over a period of c. 3 weeks in April 2022.
It now is much more on an exhibition and much less like of the very popular event at which botanical artists from all over the world met one another.
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History of Venues and Timing
The banner picture at the top is of the RHS Botanical Art Show in London in July 2018.
In the past, The RHS Botanical Art Shows have 'been held at:
- The Horticultural Halls in Victoria, London - initially the Lawrence Hall but latterly mainly in the RHS Lindley Hall (until 2019).
- The main Botanical Art Show used to be held on two days generally between February and April.
- In 2018, the timing switched to July.
- In July 2019 it was held during a heatwave!
- In 2020 it was cancelled due to the pandemic
- In 2021 AND 2022 (during the Pandemic) it switched to the Saatchi Gallery and the length extended. However this switch lost the community event that previous shows - and botanical artists - had very much enjoyed when visitors got to meet the artists.
- Malvern (up until 2018) This was a small show at RHS Malvern Spring Festival Show in May. Judging and medals are, in theory, just the same. However those who have viewed both commonly consider competition has been more intense in London. i.e. a Gold Medal won at London is a major achievement!
Botanical illustration emphasises the depiction of accurate botanical information with aesthetic appeal and should document the anatomical and functional aspect of a plant through its lifecycle. Artists are strongly advised to paint from living plant specimens and to make use of photographs for reference only.
IF YOU WANT TO EXHIBIT - below and on other pages you will find more information about:
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RHS Shows: Regulations and Guidance - This tells you "How to be approved to exhibit" and "How to Exhibit"
RHS Botanical Art Shows - Future - provides notes about future shows READ about Exhibit Titles at RHS Botanical Art Shows - the titles of past gold medal winning exhibits have been categorised. You may be surprised at the result.... RHS Botanical Photography Shows - tap the link to find out more on this site |
LEARN FROM PAST GOLD MEDAL WINNERS
READ Tips from RHS Botanical Art Gold Medal Winners (in EDUCATION). These include:
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NEWS for botanical artists wanting to exhibit at the RHS Botanical Art Show in 2021 and 2022 (May 2021)
To be eligible to apply for space to display work at an RHS Show, you (an individual or a group) must first submit a sample of four pieces of work to the RHS Picture Panel for assessment and approval to exhibit. Approval lasts five years. This assessment takes place at the annual Submission Selection Meeting of the Picture Panel.
The Selection Meeting for new botanical artists to exhibit with the RHS in 2023 and onwards is on Thursday 7 July 2022.
Most people find it very difficult to find the information about the Botanical Art Exhibition on the RHS website.
It's in the RHS Libraries Section as Exhibition of Botanical Art . Further information below
To be eligible to apply for space to display work at an RHS Show, you (an individual or a group) must first submit a sample of four pieces of work to the RHS Picture Panel for assessment and approval to exhibit. Approval lasts five years. This assessment takes place at the annual Submission Selection Meeting of the Picture Panel.
The Selection Meeting for new botanical artists to exhibit with the RHS in 2023 and onwards is on Thursday 7 July 2022.
Most people find it very difficult to find the information about the Botanical Art Exhibition on the RHS website.
It's in the RHS Libraries Section as Exhibition of Botanical Art . Further information below
Botanical Illustration from the Royal Horticultural Society: The Gold Medal Winners
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Contents include:
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Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: ACC Art Books Publication date: 26 Jun. 2019 ORDER THIS BOOK |
from Amazon.comRHS Botanical Art and Photography Shows 2022
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RHS London Botanical Art and Photography Show
In 2020, the botanical art show at the RHS Horticultural Halls (Lindley Hall) was CANCELLED until further notice due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. In 2021, the RHS relocated the Botanical Art Show in 2021 to the Saatchi Gallery in London where an exhibition was held - menu artists - for three weeks. This is the RHS Botanical Art & Photography Show SELECTION MEETING FACTSHEET 2022
This was the RHS Guidance Exhibition FactSheet for Botanical Art 2020 Who can exhibit:
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Botanical Illustration is a genre of art that endeavours to faithfully depict and represent the form, colour and detail of a plant, identifiable to species or cultivar level. |
FUTURE - RHS Botanical Art Exhibitions 2023 -2028
If you want to exhibit between 2020 and 2025
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Apply to Exhibit at the next
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See RHS Photography Exhibition for details of how to submit botanical photography. |
For more on how to exhibit see below. |
How to exhibit at the RHS Botanical Art Shows
The RHS Picture Committee leads on the Botanical Art Shows (with the RHS Show Organisers)
RHS Lindley Library 80 Vincent Square London SW1 2PE Telephone: 020 7821 3051
RHS Lindley Library 80 Vincent Square London SW1 2PE Telephone: 020 7821 3051
RHS Regulation and Guidance
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The RHS webpage about the Exhibition of Botanical Art
aims to provide everything you need to know to help you
Including a link to: The Selection Meeting Factsheet 2022 (PDF) which sets out all the rules and regulations and "how tos" READ MORE BELOW about
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Botanical Illustration is a genre of art that endeavours to faithfully depict and represent the form, colour and detail of a plant, identifiable to species level. |
PLUS Read more in Tips from RHS Gold Medal Winners
- which includes an outline of the different stages of the process
- which includes an outline of the different stages of the process
View of the RHS Botanical Art Show in February 2017
#1. Selection for new exhibitors - submission to be "approved to exhibit"
A very high standard of work (equivalent at least to a Silver RHS medal) is required to be selected to display botanical illustration at a RHS show.
RHS Botanical Art Show Exhibitor Factsheet 2019
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To be able to exhibit you must first be APPROVED TO EXHIBIT by the RHS Picture Committee. In other words your botanical artwork must be formally assessed to see if it meets the standard for exhibition.
READ RHS Botanical Art Show #1 Approval to Submit - which is my blog post containing information approved by the Picture Committee for publication Getting approval to submit involves submitting work to the Picture Committee by the deadline for submission.
The deadline for submission is not always obvious or announced but is generally around about September. This year it is 28 June 2022 Once you are approved to exhibit you then have five years to APPLY FOR SPACE TO EXHIBIT at a specific exhibition - otherwise you have to be assessed and approved again. This is because the Picture Committee recognises that many people's projects often take two to three years to complete. |
2022: Selection for New Exhibitors
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| 2022-botanical-illustration-selection-meeting-factsheet.pdf |
The Selection Meeting: Submissions (4 artworks per artist) laid on the long table in the RHS Council Chamber. Reviewing a submission left to right Charlotte Brooks, Helen Allen and Dr Shirley Sherwood
Quotations are from the Botanical Illustration Exhibitor Factsheet (557kB pdf) unless otherwise indicated.
Selection criteria |
Emphasis is placed primarily on botanical accuracy in combination with aesthetic appeal. Artists should present examples of their work that is of the highest quality and has been completed in recent years. |
- Four original examples of botanical illustration, mounted but not framed, should be sent to the Picture Panel Secretary before the selection meeting. Artists from overseas should send actual-size unmounted prints of their work. Rolled in a poster tube. Prints cannot be returned.
- Each piece should be labelled with the artist’s name and address, and the subject of the drawing. These works do not need to be on a theme.
- Group exhibitors should ensure that one piece from each artist is submitted.
- RHS Guidance on Submission to Exhibit applications
Deadline for your submission for consideration by 2019 Selection Meeting
Artists may submit their works to the Lindley Library by 28th June 2022
RECOMMENDED: Contact the relevant personnel listed in the Factsheet with any detailed queries - emails and telephone numbers are included. The email address for both submission and show enquiries are detailed on the RHS webpage.
RHS Botanical Art Show 2018 - PREVIEW Evening (which tends to be quieter than the two full days)
#2 The Selection Meeting - the approval process by the RHS
BOTANICAL ART AND ARTISTS RECOMMENDS - PLAN AHEAD!
The Picture Committee's Selection Meeting can be 12 - 15 months or more PRIOR to the date of the next exhibition you can submit to - if approved to exhibit by the Selection Meeting
The Picture Committee's Selection Meeting can be 12 - 15 months or more PRIOR to the date of the next exhibition you can submit to - if approved to exhibit by the Selection Meeting
The NEXT Picture Committee Selection Meeting to consider submissions for approval to exhibit is on on 7th July 2022
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: Tuesday 28th June 2022.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: Tuesday 28th June 2022.
- This considers submissions from artists wanting to submit to exhibit in the next five years (2023-2028)
- Successful applicants MAY then be able to exhibit at the 2023 exhibition. It depends on the competition for space from previously approved artists and those approved prior to 2022.
RHS Botanical Art Show 2017 - Saturday 25th February
#3 What to exhibit
Botanical illustration emphasises the depiction of accurate botanical information with aesthetic appeal and should document the anatomical and functional aspect of a plant throughout its lifecycle. Artists are strongly advised to paint from living plant specimens and to make use of photographs for reference only.
Exhibiting at RHS Shows
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Below are images of the"Best Exhibits" at four RHS Botanical Art Shows in the Lindley Hall (2015-2018)
IMPORTANT NOTE: During the Pandemic, the 2020 Show was cancelled, and the shows in 2021 and 2022 were held at the Saatchi Gallery where exhibits were framed and the amount of explanatory text was reduced to 150 words. HOWEVER key points about exhibits remain the same Commonalities that I can observe are that:
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SEE MORE IMAGES OF PAST SHOWS BOTANICAL ART AND ARTISTS RECOMMENDS Become very familiar with the standard of Gold Medal winning artwork. You can see more images of exhibits in past shows in
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Best Exhibit 2018: "Wild Roses in Japan" by Michie Yamada (Japan)
Best Botanical Art Exhibit 2017: Pandanus by Mariko Ikeda (Japan)
Best Exhibit 2016: Tillandsias by Mariko Aikawa (Japan) - this photo shows four of the six large paintings
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BOTANICAL ART AND ARTISTS RECOMMENDS
THEME
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EXHIBIT TITLES BOTANICAL ART AND ARTISTS RECOMMENDS - VIEW Exhibit Titles at RHS Botanical Art Shows This dedicated page CATEGORISES and HIGHLIGHTS Exhibit Titles used by botanical artists who have won RHS Gold Medals in recent years MOST Gold Medal winning exhibits fall into just two of the categories! |
Best Exhibit (Feb) 2015: Climbing Plants by Kumiko Takano (Japan)
#4 How to apply for a space at a SPECIFIC RHS Exhibition of Botanical Art
Only artists who have been accepted by the Picture Panel are eligible to apply for space.
Applications for space to display exhibits of botanical illustration should be made using the online application form emailed by the RHS Shows Department. Botanical illustration is exhibited at London and Malvern Shows. Contact details for eligible artists are automatically sent to the RHS Shows Department following acceptance by the Picture Panel.....
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You can only apply for space in an RHS Botanical Art Show IF:
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IF THE EXHIBITION RETURNS TO ITS TRADITIONAL HOME AT THE LINDLEY HALL You need to bear in mind that:
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RHS London Botanical Art Show 2016 - with the new display boards - on the Saturday
#5 How botanical artwork is judged at the RHS Show
Gold medals are only awarded to displays of outstanding and consistent excellence.
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There are four types of Royal Horticultural Society Medal available for awards to exhibits. These are:
In addition, THREE additional awards have been made in recent years if an exhibit merits them:
Plus a Special Judges Award in 2018 |
The Judging Panel currently includes experienced practising botanical artists and teachers, botanists, an art collector, horticultural experts and garden writing editors.
The aim is to achieve the right combination of skills.
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Whether or not you get the plant name correct - and write the Latin correctly - actually matters a lot!
Judging Criteria for RHS Botanical Art Medals
This section comes in two parts - in terms of:
This section comes in two parts - in terms of:
- official guidance issued re 2020 Show - which summarises the Judging Criteria to date.
- official guidance issued for 2022 Selection Meeting - where the NEW JUDGING CRITERIA are spelt out
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Judging Criteria (2020)
The headings for the Judging Criteria for Shows in the Lindley Hall were described as follows in the 2020 Factsheet as follows: Quality of Botanical Illustration
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Panel explaining the assessment criteria at the RHS London Botanical Art Show 2017
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You can also read how botanical art is judged and what colour of medal is awarded in two of my blog posts published in 2018
RHS Botanical Art Show 2015 (27th - 28th February 2015) . This was the first ever show in the Lindley Hall completely dedicated to Botanical Art - however the display boards have now changed
BOTANICAL ART AND ARTISTS RECOMMENDS: Those aspiring to exhibit at RHS Botanical Art Shows should
- pay particular attention to the Judging Criteria
- BEFORE making a choice as to the plants / theme for their exhibit and designing and creating it.
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In 2022, The Selection Meeting Factsheet provides much clearer guidance on the Judging Criteria as follows. The subtitles in capitals are mine.
BOTANICAL ARTWORK 1. Drawing skills
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PLANTS
5. Botanical details
EXHIBIT OVERALL / PRESENTATION Balance of exhibit
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#6 How to win an RHS Gold Medal
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Katherine Tyrrell interviews Denise Ramsay after winning an RHS Gold Medal for her botanical art exhibit of "A Brilliant Life - Papaver Orientale" at the RHS Show in the Lindley Hall, London on 22nd October 2014.
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The complete suite of works exhibited are now owned by Dr Shirley Sherwood - and have subsequently been exhibited at the Shirley Sherwood Gallery at Kew
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Tips from RHS Gold Medal winners
My dedicated TIPS page Tips from RHS Gold Medal Winners also provides a wealth of useful information - including tips from artists like Annie Hughes, Işık Güner, Julia Trickey, and Esmee Winkel - who have won multiple Gold Medals.
Tips cover:
Tips cover:
- sourcing plants
- recording plant data prior to painting
- art materials
- planning the display
- signage and presentation
- transporting artwork (across the world)
#7 Visit the Show BEFORE you decide your theme or start your project
BOTANICAL ART AND ARTISTS RECOMMENDS: I very much RECOMMEND that all those who aspire to become approved and then exhibit at an RHS Botanical Art Show should check out the show if at all possiblE
Like any other open exhibition or art competition, visiting the show to take a look at the standard of the work and how work is presented pays dividends for those who do their homework.
Warning - standards seem to rise every year.
Like any other open exhibition or art competition, visiting the show to take a look at the standard of the work and how work is presented pays dividends for those who do their homework.
Warning - standards seem to rise every year.
- If you haven't seen a show for some time and are able to get to see one, I suggest you come and take a look. You might be surprised at how different it is.
- Anne Marie Evans visited the show in 2018 after a break of some years and commented that she was amazed at how the different the show is now compared to those she visited in the past..
For those who are unable to get to the show, do
- take a look at my blog posts (SEE ARCHIVE: RHS Botanical Art Shows 2007-2021) and also
- view my BOTANICAL ART VIDEOS on YouTube (see examples above and below)
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