The magical power of forgotten plants.
They were always there for me.
Every path I walked, every road I took, they were standing right beside me. And yet I didn't know their names or where they came from. Their beauty sometimes asked for my attention, but I mostly took them for granted. Always rushing, always running. Luckily they didn't give up and stayed there, persistent and strong as they are, waiting until one day I would see them, really see them.
At a point in my life when I felt so stressed and burned out that I had to slow down, finally they started to catch my attention. Step by step a new world awoke before my eyes. A world full of life and energy, vulnerability and strength. Of smells and tastes and a natural beauty that no artist could create. A world full of edible and medicinal plants! How could I have ignored them for so long?
All these plants are unique and essential in their own way. Now I know their names and stories, they have become kin to me. I want to take care of them, as they will take care of me. From now on I will greet them back. Knowing that they will always be there for me, if only I keep seeing them.
And now it is your turn...
to open your eyes to the magical power of plants with all your senses. To explore your surroundings and overcome your plant blindness. It is time for us to get to know the plant world again, just like our ancestors once did.
So go out there and see, smell, taste and touch the wondrous wild world around you! Learn a plant (or more) by name and pass on your knowledge to others. Please don’t forget to always forage with respect for nature and all other living beings.
For this project I have collected 44 common edible and medicinal plants growing in The Netherlands. From every plant I extracted the natural colour from its sap and printed the plant using the old anthotype printing technique. This technique uses only plant sap (which is naturally photosensitive) and sunlight to create a print. Every plant has been printed in its own pigment, eventually showing a forest of natural colours when exhibited together.
These 44 anthotype prints have been published in a card set. Every plant card contains information about the plant on the back, so you can learn their names, unique characters and stories.
It is also possible to order an A4 print (copy of original) on watercolour paper to hang on your wall.
Would you like to order the card set for €35,- or an anthotype print for €85,-?
Please send an email to sabinerovers@gmail.com.
Stay tuned on Instagram or sign up for my newsletter if you want to follow my journey into the wondrous wild! 🌱
This project is supported by The Mondriaan Fund.
Card design by Klaudia Bogusz.
