Collected Patterns

OVERVIEW
The Collected Patterns series of limited edition prints and embroideries explores plants cultivated in the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens during founding curator, Walter Hill’s service from 1855-1881.

Appointed Colonial Botanist, he contributed extensively to the development of botany, agriculture, horticulture and forest conservation during the founding years of the colony and promoted agricultural enterprises such as sugar cane, tropical fruits and vineyards, which lead to expanding trade for the state of Queensland.

The selection of plants explored in this series are not necessarily Hill’s favourites or the ones for which he is most renowned, but were chosen for their form, their potential for pattern-making and their artistic merits in terms of botanical studies.

A Heidelberg ‘Windmill’ Letterpress (a style of press that was used during Walter Hill’s time), was used to create the letterpress prints and develop the highly graphic aesthetic of the series, including the giclée prints and machine embroideries.

Walter Hill was a fastidious professional who recorded his work in painstaking detail through annual reports and collection documents. Hours of research and meticulous choices in medium, materials, technical expertise and designs have sought a timeless, refined aesthetic in the artwork reflective of Walter Hill’s dedication.

DETAILS
Exhibition Title: Collected Patterns: The botany of Walter Hill
Series Title: Collected Patterns
Year: 2011
Medium: Limited edition letterpress prints, giclée prints, machine embroideries
Gallery: Myrtle Street Studio, Brisbane
Images: Troy Hansen and KT Doyle