Botanical Art Exhibition, Opening Recepton

Royal Horticultural Society London 2012 Gold Medalist

Heeyoung Kim’s Botanical Art Show in Northbrook Library, May4-May31

Heeyoung Kim, botanical artist from Northbrook, Illinois, won a gold medal from Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) London Botanical Art Exhibition 2012.

This year 25 botanical artists from 6 countries (Australia, England, Japan, Scotland, Turkey, and USA) were selected by RHS picture committee. Artworks are judged as a complete exhibit, and awarded medals. Heeyoung’s collection of 8 watercolor paintings were awarded gold medal for the outstanding and consistent excellence. Hers is the only gold to American botanical artist this year from RHS.

The body of works shown in this exhibit was a combination of common, rare and endangered plants of American prairie. Since late 1800s the fertile tallgrass prairie has been converted into the most intensive crop producing area. It is called America’s “breadbasket” or “corn belt”. What was once the largest ecosystem of the American continent with a biodiversity that rivaled the richest rainforests has yielded to commercial agriculture, leaving its flora and fauna in peril. Heeyoung is devoted to document these rapidly disappearing plants, and draw public attention to the environmental issue by exhibiting her works locally and internationally as well.

The same collection she had shown in London will be exhibited in Northbrook Public Library in May. This is a truly rare chance to view world class botanical artworks locally in Northbrook. The show runs from May 4 to May 31, 2012. The artist hosts Opening Reception which is open to public, on May 5, 1:00pm to 4:45pm at Pollak Room in Northbrook Library.

Best quality limited edition Giclees (archival art print) and greeting cards from her original artworks are available at the opening reception. They could be perfect Mothers’ Day gift or elegant home deco items. They are always favorite fund raising items, too.

Heeyoung currently teaches botanical art in Chicago land. Her classes are run by her independently at Noyes Culture and Art Center, in Evanston. She loves to be involved in any kinds of activities with plants and art, such as small talk and showing with garden clubs, or technique demonstrations to some art groups. She believes showing her artworks and sharing her enthusiasm in every possible way helps make people be aware of the current situation native plants are facing. 

View Heeyoung's paintings of Midwest native plants at www.PrairiePlantArt.com.