Mr Chamberlain's Orchids was a 3 year art and science participatory project that used 19th Century politician Joseph Chamberlain's passion for orchid growing as a means to engage new audiences in conversations on current cultural, political and global conservation themes. Dudley College students proudly show their ceramic plant vessels in Joseph Chamberlain's Birmingham residence, Highbury 2020
The project emerged from a period of residency in the Research and Cultural Collections at University of Birmingham and toured to The International Orchid Conference at Kew Gardens, The RHS International Orchid Fair in Malvern and 2019 and 2020 Heritage Open Days at Highbury, the Birmingham residence of Joseph Chamberlain. University of Birmingham’s Arts & Science Festival 2017. Images Greg Milner Photography.
Mr Chamberlain's Orchids plant stands 2020. Image David Rowan
Collaborating with world orchid authority Philip Seaton, I ran art and science workshops from a touring display before making a range of ceramic tiles and orchid growing vessels with groups of students from Uffculme School, Dudley College and Birmingham City University. Heritage open day at Highbury, Birmingham 2019, Image Marcin Sz
The orchid vessels were inspired by props that had appeared in satirical cartoons of Chamberlain during his political career.
'To the Rescue' (Shipping Bill) cartoon from The Owl, 1884 - Courtesy of The Birmingham and Midland Institute.
Dudley College students orchid vessels on display at Highbury 2020
Philip Seaton with participant's orchid growing vessels at Highbury, 2020
Other collaborations included leather plant hanger making with designer maker Deborette Clarke, bread making with artist Albert Smith and fruit tree maintenance with Rob Tilling, who all ran drop in workshops from the touring display. Heritage open day at Highbury, Birmingham 2019, Image Marcin Sz
Heritage open day at Highbury, Birmingham 2019, Image Marcin Sz
Before entering Politics Chamberlain and been a cordwainer. Prompting Deborette Clarke to deliver leather working workshops at Heritage Open Day, Highbury, Image Marcin Sz
Philip Seaton talking about Orchid Seed Conservation, Image Marcin Sz
Heritage open day at Highbury, Birmingham 2019, Image Marcin Sz
Drawing workshop at Heritage Open Day, Highbury. Image Marcin Sz
Drawing workshop at Heritage Open Day, Highbury. Image Marcin Sz
Drawing workshop Heritage Open Day, Highbury. Image Marcin Sz
Bread making workshop at Heritage Open Day, Highbury with Artist baker Albert Smith, Image Marcin Sz
During his career Chamberlain had famously used two loaves of bread, one made with British Empire ingredients and one with non Empire ingredients to illustrate his that his proposed tariff reforms would not affect the size and quality of people's daily loaf. Bread making workshop at Heritage Open Day, Highbury with Artist baker Albert Smith, Image Marcin Sz
Chamberlain had an extensive network of glasshouses on his Highbury estate where he grew amongst a large variety of orchids.
One of the last remaining original garden structures at Highbury was a fruit tree pergola. Orchids were found to be growing at its base.
Fruit tree grafting workshop at Heritage Open Day, Highbury with Rob Tilling, Image Marcin Sz
Leather plant hanger workshop with Deborette Clarke, B18 leather Image Marcin Sz
Fruit tree grafting workshop at Heritage Open Day, Highbury with Rob Tilling, Image Marcin Sz
Apple tasting at Heritage Open Day, Highbury, Image Marcin Sz
Heritage Open Day, Highbury Image Marcin Sz
Philip Seaton at Heritage Open Day, Highbury, Image Marcin Sz
Heritage open day, Highbury 2020, Image Marcin Sz
International Orchid Conservation Conference, Kew Gardens 2019
International Orchid Conservation Conference, Kew Gardens 2019
Mr Chamberlain's Orchids display at the International Orchid Conservation Conference, Kew Gardens 2019
Mr Chamberlain's Orchids display at the International Orchid Conservation Conference, Kew Gardens 2019
Mr Chamberlain's Orchids display at the International Orchid Conservation Conference, Kew Gardens 2019
Silent Orchid Festival display at the RHS International Orchid Fair, Malvern 2019 Image Marcin Sz
Mr Chamberlain's Orchids display at the RHS International Orchid Fair, Malvern 2019 Image Marcin Sz
Mr Chamberlain's Orchids display at the RHS International Orchid Fair, Malvern 2019 Image Marcin Sz
Ceramic workshop at the RHS International Orchid Fair, Malvern 2019, Image Marcin Sz
Ceramic workshop at the RHS International Orchid Fair, Malvern 2019, Image Marcin Sz
Mr Chamberlain's Orchids display at the RHS International Orchid Fair, Malvern 2019 Image Marcin Sz
Deborette Clarke at the RHS International Orchid Fair, Malvern 2019, Image Marcin Sz
Deborette Clarke at the RHS International Orchid Fair, Malvern 2019, Image Marcin Sz
Deborette Clarke and Philip Seaton at the RHS International Orchid Fair, Malvern 2019, Image Marcin Sz
Mr Chamberlain's Orchids display at the RHS International Orchid Fair, Malvern 2019 Image Marcin Sz
Mr Chamberlain's Orchids display at the RHS International Orchid Fair, Malvern 2019 Image Marcin Sz
University of Birmingham’s Arts & Science Festival 2017. Images Greg Milner Photography.
University of Birmingham’s Arts & Science Festival 2017. Images Greg Milner Photography.
Postcard showing Joseph Chamberlain's orchid house at Highbury, Birmingham
Albert Millican and native South Americans collecting Odontoglossum crispum from the Amazon rainforest, image taken from 'Travels and Adventures of an Orchid Hunter' by Albert Millican (1891)
Philip Seaton demonstrating orchid seed conservation University of Birmingham’s Arts & Science Festival 2017. Images by Greg Milner Photography.
Orchid seeds vessels at University of Birmingham’s Arts & Science Festival 2017. Images by Greg Milner Photography.
University of Birmingham’s Arts & Science Festival 2017. Images by Greg Milner Photography.
University of Birmingham’s Arts & Science Festival 2017. Images by Greg Milner Photography.
Mr Chamberlain’s Orchids
A 3 year art and science participatory project that used Joseph Chamberlain’s passion for orchid growing as a means to engage new audiences in conversations on current cultural, political and global conservation themes.
The project emerged from a period of residency in the Research and Cultural Collections at University of Birmingham and toured to The International Orchid Conference at Kew Gardens, The RHS International Orchid Fair in Malvern and 2019 and 2020 Heritage Open Days at Highbury, the Birmingham residence of Joseph Chamberlain. The display won a Silver Gilt award in the educational display category.
Collaborating with world orchid authority Philip Seaton, I ran art and science workshops from a touring display before making a range of ceramic tiles and orchid growing vessels with groups of students from Uffculme School, Dudley College and Birmingham City University. These were inspired by props that appeared in satirical cartoons of Chamberlain during his political career.
Other collaborations included leather plant hanger making with designer maker Deborette Clarke, bread making with artist Albert Smith and fruit tree maintenance with Rob Tilling, who all ran drop in workshops from the touring display.
The vessels were displayed as part of the Heritage Open Day at Highbury (2020) alongside 3 plant specially commissioned plant stands that made architectural reference to public memorials to Chamberlain in Birmingham.
You can read a text on how the project developed here
The project was due to be presented at the University of Birmingham’s Arts and Science Festival 2020 but due to the Covid restrictions this was adapted into the online Silent Orchid Festival and Summer School which run throughout the summer of 2020.
‘Old Joe’ plant stand fabricated by Plane Structure. Chamberlain Memorial Clock and Chamberlain Square fountain plant stands fabricated by MJM Bespoke.
The project was generously supported by Arts Council England, Bruntwood, University of Birmingham, New Art West Midlands, The Research and Cultural Collections at University of Birmingham, The Chamberlain Highbury Trust and The John Feeney Trust.
