Not every artwork demands attention. Some simply ask you to slow down. A flowering aloe. The curve of a protea leaf. The intricate structure of a seed pod. These are details we often walk past without noticing, yet they become endlessly fascinating in the hands of an artist who has taken the time to really look.
Perhaps that is why botanical art has never gone out of fashion. It reminds us that beauty isn't always found in spectacular landscapes or dramatic subjects. Sometimes it exists in the smallest details of the natural world.
At StateoftheART, botanical art isn't a separate discipline tucked away in a corner of the gallery. It is woven throughout the work of artists who continually return to plants, flowers and indigenous flora as a source of inspiration.
Looking More CloselyThe artists represented by StateoftheART don't depict plants simply because they are beautiful. They are interested in shape, rhythm, resilience and the quiet relationships that exist within nature. A flowering stem becomes an elegant abstract composition. A protea becomes a sculptural form. A single bloom captures the changing seasons. It is this way of looking that transforms botanical subjects into compelling contemporary art.
Jo RoetsFew artists celebrate South Africa's indigenous flora with the same warmth as Jo Roets.
Proteas, pincushions and aloes appear regularly throughout her work, but never as scientific studies. Instead, they become expressive interpretations of the plants that define so much of the South African landscape. Jo creates botanical art through her distinctive light relief sculpture, bringing a tactile, dimensional quality to her subjects. Her work moves beyond traditional painting, allowing light and shadow to interact with form, giving each piece a quiet presence that shifts throughout the day.
Lorna ScheepersLorna Scheepers approaches flowers with unmistakable joy. Her paintings celebrate abundance rather than perfection. Light moves across petals, colours shift and overlap, and familiar blooms become energetic celebrations of the changing seasons.
Collectors often describe her work as uplifting, and it is easy to understand why. These are paintings that bring optimism into a room without ever feeling sentimental.
Kendall-Leigh NashWorking in graphite, Kendall-Leigh Nash reminds us that colour is not always necessary to reveal beauty. Her botanical drawings slow us down. Every vein of a leaf, every fold of a petal and every subtle texture is observed with extraordinary patience, encouraging us to notice details that would otherwise pass unnoticed.
The result is work that feels both contemporary and timeless, combining technical mastery with genuine wonder.
Why Botanical Art EnduresTrends come and go, but botanical art has remained part of people's homes for centuries. Perhaps that is because it asks very little of us. It doesn't shout. It doesn't demand explanation. Instead, it quietly changes the atmosphere of a room, bringing a sense of calm, balance and connection with the natural world.
That is also why botanical artworks work so comfortably alongside contemporary interiors. Whether surrounded by modern architecture or traditional furniture, they retain a freshness that never feels dated.
A Collection That Grows With YouMany collectors discover botanical art almost by accident. A single artwork catches their eye. Then another. Before long they begin to notice recurring themes: indigenous flora, changing seasons, gardens they remember, places they have visited. It becomes less about collecting flowers and more about collecting moments of observation.
For us, that is the real pleasure of botanical art. These are works that continue to reward attention, revealing something new every time you stop to look.
Browse our collection of original botanical art and discover paintings, drawings, sculptures and mixed-media works by Jo Roets, Lorna Scheepers, Kendall-Leigh Nash and other contemporary South African artists whose work celebrates the remarkable beauty of the natural world.
