The work of botanical artist Yanny Petters is informed by the “minutiae of nature”. A recent creation of hers ‘Hand Fan for Habitats’ has been acquired by the National Museum and it is an exquisite work.
Botanical artist Yanny Petters work is informed by the “minutiae of nature” as she explores “the detail, colour and form within the realm of plants and their environment.” A recent creation of hers ‘Hand Fan for Habitats’ has been acquired by the National Museum and it is an exquisite work.
“As a portable work of art, often depicting flowers, landscapes and even portraits it is said that in European royal courts the fan was used to signal secret messages especially amongst the ladies,” says Petters. “In recent times I have noticed more people carrying hand fans as we experience warmer summers due to climate change. I have chosen this decorative fashion object to carry a message about climate change and habitat loss, a common theme in my art work.
Each ‘leaf’ of my fan represents one of nine different Irish habitats. As climate change effects our environment, many habitats will be altered, causing the demise of plants. The overall effect of loss of habitat will be huge when biodiversity is damaged, causing loss of pollinators who depend on wild plants, the same pollinators we depend on for our food crops.”
Habitats represented from left to right on the fan are: The Burren – Bloody Cranes Bill, Woodland – Bluebell, Grassland – Red Clover., Bogs – Bog Bean, Heath – Bog Asphodel, Hedgerow – Bramble, Fen – Ragged Robbin, Sea Shore – Sea Campion, Wetland – Marsh Marigold.
