Kate Friend: Botanical Portraits, as chosen by... - Garden Museum
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Kate Friend: Botanical Portraits, as chosen by…

For her new exhibition at the Garden Museum this summer, photographer Kate Friend approached notable creatives and public figures: people whose work she respected and people she wanted to meet. Kate asked them to pick a single flower or plant for her to photograph. Kate chose the people, they chose the flowers. From Isabella Tree’s Ragwort to Cosey Fanni Tutti’s Euphorbia, the flowers that people chose spoke of them.

Kate says:

“Each flower or plant in this series was photographed at the subject’s home, studio or garden. I asked each subject if they had a particular flower or plant they liked. They didn’t have to tell me why, although often they did. Sometimes a plant reminded them of someone or some time. Sometimes it was an evocative colour or smell. Sometimes a pleasing form or cycle of life. I only took portraits of flowers. Never people.”

Read our interview with Kate to find out more: Behind the Botanical Portraits

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Dates


Dan Pearson, Dierama pulcherrimum, Somerset

Dan Pearson, Dierama pulcherrimum, Somerset

“For this series I shot at the homes, studios, work places and gardens of Dan Pearson, Margaret Howell, Cosey Fanni Tutti, Molly Goddard, Jeremy Lee, Maggi Hambling, Penny Rimbaud, Juergen Teller, Amanda Harlech, Isabella Tree, Olivia Harrison, John Pawson, Charlie McCormick, Alice Vincent, Alys Fowler, and at Charleston with the plants of Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell. I am grateful to everyone involved for their hospitality and participation.

The final work shows each still life portrait alongside photographs from some of the homes and workplaces of the participants. These accompanying images capture the temporary ‘studios’ I built at each location. Everything is photographed on film at locations throughout England.”

Juergen Teller, Strawberry, Latimer Road, London

Juergen Teller, Strawberry, Latimer Road, London

About Kate Friend

Kate Friend is a British photographer known for her still life work. This will be Kate’s second botanical series. Her first series focused on flowers cut from some of England’s greatest gardens, chosen by the gardeners, and was exhibited at the Garden Museum in 2018. Kate’s minimal style has led to commissions from companies such as Maison Margiela Fragrances and Commes des Garçons. Her work has featured in publications such as Wallpaper*, AnOther Magazine, Elle Decoration, Conde Nast Traveller, The Guardian, The Sunday Times and the FT.

Website: www.katefriend.com
Instagram: @kate_friend

© KATE FRIEND 2021

Image: © KATE FRIEND 2021