Opening of Suzy Abbott’s ‘The Moment in Time’ Exhibition at FGY Art Gallery CHCH
To enable the Christchurch public to better appreciate Botanical Art, on 27th October 2018, Fo Guang Yuan (FGY) Art Gallery Christchurch hosted the opening ceremony of Christchurch Artist Suzy Abbott’s ‘The Moment in Time’ Exhibition. About 70 guests attended the ceremony, among whom were members of Botanical Art society of New Zealand, friends of FGY, Botanical Art Society of NZ President Jacquie Carvan, Artist Calvin Lin and relatives of Suzy.
In this exhibition, Suzy put up more than 20 pieces of her works, covering a wide range of flowers or plants such as: Pink, Blue and Fading Hydrangea, Pine Cone, Korari, Pink and Fading Roses, Agapanthus, Poppy, Hosta Leaf and Artichoke. Every piece of works was intricately detailed and appropriately coloured, reflecting the true and authentic nature of the object painted. In her speech, Suzy thanked FGY Art Gallery NZ Curator Venerable Abbess Manshin and Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island Minister-in-charge Venerable Jue Xi for making her feel at home. She also thanked the FGY Art Gallery Team for their help in the organising and the arrangement of the Exhibition Hall, enabling the exhibits to be presented in a near perfect manner. Suzy told the audience how, for the past twelve years, she has been fortunate to have joined the Botanical Art Society of New Zealand where she is able to meet many true friends and good teachers and, through the Society, to learn more about Botanical Art.
According to Suzy, in the early days, paintings of botanical plants were presented in mono-colour and were done from a scientific angle mainly to record the specific traits of the plants for identification purpose. Often life plants or plant specimens were used. Nowadays, on the contrary, botanical artists emphasised more on the aesthetic aspect of the painting, thus placing more weight on artistic form rather than accurate recording, and the colour themes are also freely chosen by the artists to suit their individual liking.
Botanical Art Society of New Zealand President Jacquie congratulated Suzy on the successful launch of the Exhibition and felt proud of her achievements. Jacquie then briefly introduced the Botanical art Society to the audience. The Society was formed in 2004 with the aim to foster and promote botanical art and to stimulate interest in plant conservation and preservation of natural environment. Members of the Society often visit Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Riccarton Bush to understand New Zealand’s local plants. The Society now posts the art works of its members on internet so that the public can easily gain access to these works. Membership of the Society covers the whole of New Zealand. This is evident in the recent Exhibition in Akaroa where 16 artists from 5 regions jointly exhibited 89 works. In addition to promoting botanical art to the public, the Botanical Art Society also invites overseas tutors to conduct classes for its members. Jacquie hoped that more people can join the Society to experience the exciting world of botanical art.
At the end of the launch, Suzy thanked the audience for their participation and hoped that they would enjoy the Exhibition. She ended the ceremony by quoting the words of the famous English Botanical Artist, Wilfred Blunt: “The Greatest flower artists have been those who have been found beauty in truth, who have understood plants scientifically but who have yet seen and described them with the eye and hand of the artist”. Going through the Exhibition, the audience expressed high regards for Suzy’s works and were full of praises for her use of colours in the paintings. Finally, the opening ceremony ended on a high note.