The Silent Orchid Festival was originally intended as a campus-wide display of ceramic orchid vessels on windowsills, desks and bookshelves. However, in response to COVID-19 restrictions, it was reimagined as an online Summer School.
A group of artists, photographers, historians and orchid growers participated in online workshops and tutorials to learn more about the history and cultural significance of orchids and orchid collecting whilst nurturing and growing their own specimen.
Participants received a grow kit, art pack and a specially made hanging basket, whilst a series of texts were commissioned for discussion in group and public debates. These are now available to read below:
Mr Chamberlain’s Orchids – Matt Westbrook
A Brief History of Orchid Growing – Philip Seaton
Hunting for Orchids in South America (1850 – 1910) – Rodrigo Orrantia
Collecting, Masculinity and Late-Victorian Orchid Mania – Victoria Mills
The Odontoglossum crispum – Philip Seaton
Also watch Philip delivering his talk ‘Odontoglossum crispum (Oncidium alexandrae): a tale of love, loss and scientific discovery’ at The VI Conferencia Cientifica de Orquideas Andina, Medellin Colombia here
The Life of an RHS Orchid Illustrator – Deborah Lambkin
A Guide to Painting an Orchid Flower – Deborah Lambkin
The Silent Orchid Summer School ran alongside Matt and Philip’s ongoing project, ‘Mr Chamberlain’s Orchids,’ which stemmed from an artist residency at the University of Birmingham and aimed to highlight the interconnected narratives between heritage, science and cultural histories. It was presented as part of the University of Birmingham Arts and Science Festival
The outcomes produced from the Silent Orchid Summer School will go on display at Highbury Heritage Open Day 13th September 2020
The project was kindly funded by:
The University of Birmingham
Arts Council England
Chamberlain Highbury Trust
The John Feeney Trust
Bruntwood
New Art West Midlands
2020
