CHANGING GALLERY
Art that celebrates nature is on display throughout the Botanical Center. A variety of mediums are featured in the hanging displays that change frequently during the year. Share your art by completing the call to entry form.
ARTIST OF THE MONTH APRIL AND MAY
ANDREA VAN WYK - ORGANIC INSPIRATIONS
Magnified florals and abstractions of natural forms make up my current body of work that is an exploration of organic subjects I discover when I garden and travel. The magnified flowers are a way for me to express my passion for organic form and the amazing compositions in nature that I try not to overlook.
Georgia O'Keefe once said, “I decided that if I could paint that flower in a huge scale, you could not ignore its beauty." The Golden Ratio properties of harmony and spirals in nature along with the vibrant colors, inspire me to paint these magnified organics as that quote resonates in my mind.
The abstract paintings in this collection are inspired by nature and are a personal expression of my life experiences. Their shapes are extracted from flowers and plants, then overlapped with warm and cool colors to create complex patterns. Once I start creating forms in the composition, representation of the object is not as important as expressing feeling through brushstrokes of vibrant color.
My hope is that each of these paintings creates a sense of introspection for the viewer as they explore my work and discover more than what meets the eye.
Georgia O'Keefe once said, “I decided that if I could paint that flower in a huge scale, you could not ignore its beauty." The Golden Ratio properties of harmony and spirals in nature along with the vibrant colors, inspire me to paint these magnified organics as that quote resonates in my mind.
The abstract paintings in this collection are inspired by nature and are a personal expression of my life experiences. Their shapes are extracted from flowers and plants, then overlapped with warm and cool colors to create complex patterns. Once I start creating forms in the composition, representation of the object is not as important as expressing feeling through brushstrokes of vibrant color.
My hope is that each of these paintings creates a sense of introspection for the viewer as they explore my work and discover more than what meets the eye.
PERMANENT ART
GENERATION TO GENERATION
Commissioned and funded by Mrs. Isadora Katz, Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Harris, and Mr. & Mrs. Zeivel Harris, in honor of Ann and Ben Harris, is the creation of artist Karoly Veress, a Hungarian sculptor. The bronze sculpture is an abstract form with a plant-like feel, and sections that appear to be growing. Over twelve feet tall, the sculpture is mounted near our reflecting pond in the South Gardens.
Artist’s statement: This sculpture reflects the vertical accumulation of the contributions of generations, striving for the highest, thereby building our culture. The four components grow upward, and support and embrace one another. To me, this is a metaphor of the living culture itself. A culture is flourishing and it is growing as long as we contribute to it, adding and changing the existing environment. It is important to contribute with great respect for our past and great responsibility for the future generations. Behind our contribution is the drive of self manifestation. If we contribute, we can keep our culture alive, and are able to create continually. But only here and now, at this spot and in this moment are we the closest to eternity. And please let us realize that every day in our life is an opportunity to mark our sot and make our fingerprint eternal.
Artist’s statement: This sculpture reflects the vertical accumulation of the contributions of generations, striving for the highest, thereby building our culture. The four components grow upward, and support and embrace one another. To me, this is a metaphor of the living culture itself. A culture is flourishing and it is growing as long as we contribute to it, adding and changing the existing environment. It is important to contribute with great respect for our past and great responsibility for the future generations. Behind our contribution is the drive of self manifestation. If we contribute, we can keep our culture alive, and are able to create continually. But only here and now, at this spot and in this moment are we the closest to eternity. And please let us realize that every day in our life is an opportunity to mark our sot and make our fingerprint eternal.
THE TOWER OF SHAMBALAH
Created and donated by John R. Vandewalle, this metal sculpture is found in the planting island in the middle of our circle drive, drawing the eye upward, and casting playful shadows on the perfectly manicured lawn.
Artist’s statement: I was born and raised on the Illinois side of the Quad Cities in Rock Island. I attended Rock Island High School and was instructed by teachers who were kind enough to instruct method without pushing their own ideas, allowing the student’s creative process to show. My formal study comes from Black Hawk College and Augustana College, where I graduated with a degree in Art. My formal study will never stop; I hope to continue to evolve with the help of my family and former teachers who will be influences for life. Being from the Quad Cities I am influenced by the prairie, the river, and the four seasons that change them. In this area we are fortunate enough to see nature in so many ways, it is our provider. It provides me with inspiration and the materials that I work with. Thank you for taking the time to stop and look at my pieces. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have enjoyed creating them for you.
Artist’s statement: I was born and raised on the Illinois side of the Quad Cities in Rock Island. I attended Rock Island High School and was instructed by teachers who were kind enough to instruct method without pushing their own ideas, allowing the student’s creative process to show. My formal study comes from Black Hawk College and Augustana College, where I graduated with a degree in Art. My formal study will never stop; I hope to continue to evolve with the help of my family and former teachers who will be influences for life. Being from the Quad Cities I am influenced by the prairie, the river, and the four seasons that change them. In this area we are fortunate enough to see nature in so many ways, it is our provider. It provides me with inspiration and the materials that I work with. Thank you for taking the time to stop and look at my pieces. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have enjoyed creating them for you.
BIRTH OF A DOLPHIN
By Bruce Turnbull, donated in honor by Jean Walgren
This sculpture is located in the Sun Garden.
This sculpture is located in the Sun Garden.