PLANT RESEARCH  CYNTHIA FAN


WorkAboutContact

SILENT ARCHIVE at RBGE

Group exhibition, 2024

Venue
Inverleith House, Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh

Date
February 2024

Curated by
Emma Nicolson

Artists
Amanda Cobbett, Amanda Thomson, Annalee Davis,
Hannah Imlach, Işık Güner, Jacqui Pestell, 
Janise Yntema, Karine Polwart, Laurie Clark,
Pippa Murphy, Sarah Roberts, Sharon Tingey,
Shiraz Bayjoo, Sonia Mehra Chawla and
Wendy McMurdock.During my doctoral research at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh (RBGE), I sought to quantify the complexity of leaf shape in Begonia by mapping the genetic factors influencing its development. With over 2 000 species, Begonia displays a remarkable range of morphological diversity raising fundamental questions about its evolutionary path. Despite efforts to mathematically distill this diversity, the intricacy of Begonia leaves defied simple classification, highlighting the ecological importance in this mystery. The documentation of my research process (through photographs and leaf scans) draws attention to the fragility and importance of plant diversity.

The access that one has, however, to the substantial Begonia living collection at RBGE also sheds light on the colonial past and present of the institution itself. By creating morphologically distorted configurations using bamboo and Begonia leaves, I invited the viewer to question which of these physical states are considered “ordinary” and assess the impact of human involvement within these interactions.

Images and content on this site are copyright protected. Unauthorised use is prohibited.