Sally Arnold

Botanical artists illuminate what current global societies are dramatically experiencing: significant imbalances in our relationship with Nature.*

My botanical fine art and plant portraits are situated at the nexus of art and science**, and use both artistic freedom of expression plus the requirements of botanical science, to produce images of exacting realism and poetic beauty.

The verdant slopes of the Eastern Cape's Amathola mountains and vast dry expanses of the Great Karoo were childhood inspirations urging me to observe, draw and model. Above our farm garden-oasis a vast crystalline blue sky, sometimes bursting with cumulus-headed thunderstorms of spectacular drama. Dusty earth and shimmering skies - primal textures, scents and light.

Nature's forms and vibrating colours are my guides. Especially the powerful sculptural qualities of a blossom or seedpod.
Drawing attention to exquisite metaphors for our own, transient, Earth presence in the face of man's unbalanced exploitation of nature.

I focus on rare, often endangered flowers and plants living on our planet, magnifying fascinating tiny details. Aided by photographs, I portray these on canvas in translucent oil glazes or on paper in watercolour and powdery coloured pen...

2020 Diploma with Credit, Botanical Art, SBA/UK
1983 Masters in Modern Art History,J.W.-Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
1975-76 Bursary to Koninklijke Academie voor Schone Kunsten, Antwerp, Belgium (specializing in stained glass)
1974 Diploma of Fine Arts, Cape Polytechnic, Cape Town, South Africa

SOLO (SELECTED)

2018
'Pictura botanica', SLEE Gallery, Stellenbosch (ZA)
'Disturbed Beauty', William Humphreys Art Gallery, Kimberley (ZA)
2014
'20 years of Drawing' - Prince Albert Gallery (ZA)
2011
'Indigènes', The Gallery, Grande Provence, Franschhoek (ZA)
2006
'Karoo Basics', Prince Albert Gallery, Prince Albert (ZA)
2004
'Cardinals', Metropolitan Gallery/AVA, Cape Town
1999
European Investment Bank, Luxembourg
1997
European Investment Bank, Luxembourg

GROUP (SELECTED)


'Plant' 2023 - Botanical Art Association South Africa, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens (ZA)
'Plantae 2021' - Society of Botanical Artists (UK)
2020
PLANTAE 2020 - Society of Botanical Artists (UK)
2019
'TIPPING POINT - Threatened Plants of Southern African', Irma Stern Museum, Cape Town (ZA)
'SOJOURNS: Ephemeral Nature', Art in the Yard Gallery - Franschhoek (ZA)
2017
'Nos meilleurs voeux', Galerie l'Indépendance, Banque Internationale - (L)
May 2017
'Wildflowers on Paper' Irma Stern Museum, Cape Town (ZA)
2016
'Plant' - Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Cape Town (ZA)
'Flora - Old + New', Irma Stern Museum, Cape Town (ZA)
2013
Kirstenbosch Biennale, Cape Town (ZA)
BOTANICAL ART PRINT SHOW - South African Print Gallery, C...