As a painter crafts scenes with brushes and oils, fine art photographer Amy Wybrow wields light and colour, immortalising their dance in her lens. Her debut series of photographic art prints capture lush plant life, in a style that gives contemporary voice to the Victorian-era art of botanic illustration.
Amy’s photographic art print series, available framed or unframed in a range of sizes, at endemicworld.
Tell us a bit more about your art print series – where (and how) were the photographs taken, what inspired you to turn these into art prints, and are there more botanic prints in the series still to come?
This collection of art prints is inspired by early botanical illustrations and photographic documentation of the natural world. Flora Conspicua by Richard Morris documents the history of a range of plants, detailing their medicinal uses, growth patterns and native origins. It is from this 1800’s work that I draw inspiration for my latest series of prints of curated flora and fauna, combining this with influences from early botanical illustrations and spending time in my grandmothers’ gardens as a child.
The photography series began with an interest in glass houses, beginning at the heritage-listed Cunningham House in Christchurch Botanical Gardens. I found that the architectural structure of glass houses created a structured contrast to the botanical subjects, the glass providing a muted colour palette and filtered lighting.
There are some further prints to come in this series and will be a matter of spending time on post production.
How would you describe your aesthetic, in 4 words?
Intimate, tranquil, sombre & sentimental.
Amy photographing and exploring Christchurch’s spectacular Botanical Gardens
Is photography your full-time job, or if not – what is your ‘day job’?
Yes and no, I’m a Photography Teacher by day at secondary level so I am teaching Photography, and using my weekend time for my own work.
In terms of creative projects/new work, what are you working on right now?
I am working on a series of photographs which will be titled – Structure in Nature. This will look at the delicate symmetry of plants and will also be a play on the theme of plants being housed within a man-made structure. As a glass house is an ever-changing world and always evolving, I expect to keep drawing inspiration from these places.
Amy at work in her light-drenched home studio
Tell us about a few creatives (from NZ or international) you are personally inspired by?
I have recently discovered the work of Botanical Photographer Daniel Shipp, from Melbourne. I draw inspiration from well known NZ photographers Di ffrench, and Wayne Barrar. One of my favourite photographers would have to be Fiona Pardington for her distinctive portrayal of the natural world.
What would be a dream collab/project you’d love to do?
A dream project for me would be travelling to places like San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers, and the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew London to collect images and develop ideas.
Styling and photographing her framed print – Flora Conspicua No.1 – in her home studio space
Your prints make our walls look good. What’s on your walls at home?
We have a very diverse collection of works, ranging from dark moody Jason Greig prints to beautifully executed floral paintings by Mary Mulholland. I have a collection of Di ffrench photographs that I was lucky enough to work on with her and some Peter Cleverley works on paper. My husband paints and my son photographs a bit, so there is always plenty around.
Amy’s photographs bring the freshness and femininity of lush botanics into any space (pictured: Something Forgotten framed print)
