Seedbank [Grainothèque]

Studio Orta - Seedbank_HH_1
Studio Orta - Seedbank_HH_2
Studio Orta - Seedbank_HH_3
Studio Orta - Seedbank_HH_4
Studio Orta - 00.100
Studio Orta - 00.100
Studio Orta - 00.100
Studio Orta - 00.100
Studio Orta - 00.100
Studio Orta - 0.5500.100
Studio Orta - Seeds Peterborough 1
Studio Orta - Seeds Peterborough 2

Date: 2014 - 2016
Ref: 0.5500.100
Materials: Pencil, pigment ink, watercolour on Fabriano paper, certificate of moral ownership Perpetual Amazonia
Dimensions: Each, 32 x 32 cm framed
Exhibition history: 2023 Harewood House, Leeds, UK; 2016 City Art Gallery and Museum Peterborough, UK; 2014 Parc de la Villette Paris, France
Courtesy: Lucy + Jorge Orta

"Seed Bank" is a growing collection of watercolour drawings depicting seeds, pollen, and tubers, which Lucy + Jorge Orta have meticulously enlarged to highlight their intricate beauty and diversity. In "Seed Bank", and across the body of work Amazonia the artists draw attention to the act of preserving varieties that may be threatened with extinction, and they have partaken in scientific expeditions to the Amazon rainforest, to work along scientists and to observe first-hand the diversity and fragility of this threatened environment. The drawings bear witness to the artists' engagement and wish to create an emotional connection to the Amazon, and to all biospheres on which the human species depends, prompting viewers to reflect on their relationship with the natural environment and its intrinsic value to our well-being.