Hurry, it's not too late to still check out Brooklyn Botanic Garden's current exhibit, Knit, Purl, Sow, an entire show devoted to knitting! You have until January 22 to see how expert textile and knitting artists have created finely detailed botanical renderings of plants, flowers and vegetables. The exhibit has been two years in the making and contains 21 works with 19 provided by artist Tatyana Yanishevsky, who studied biology at Brown University. The Rhode Island-based artist dissected flowers and studied their anatomy in textbooks and greenhouses before starting down her creative path.
The Botanic Garden's Director of Science, Susan Pell, found Yanishevsky's work online and was so impressed by its scientific accuracy that she wanted to create an entire exhibition dedicated to this type of craft. “We want the public to appreciate nature another way,” said Sonal Bhatt, the garden's Vice President of Education and Interpretation. “I really like the idea of 3-D art and kept looking for the right fall to do it, because knitting doesn't fit into any other season.”
Above: Ruth Marshall, Lotus, 2013. Knitted, crocheted, and embroidered yarn, wire, fabric stiffener, fiber, and pins. Photo by the artist.
Tatyana Yanishevsky, Tiger Lily, 2011. Knitted yarn and steel. Photo by Karen Philippi.
Tatyana Yanishevsky, Daucus carota: Wild Carrot, 2005. Knitted yarn, wire, and stuffing. Photo by Karen Philippi.
Tatyana Yanishevsky, Love at First Sight, 2012. Knitted yarn and resin. Photo by Karen Philippi.
Tatyana Yanishevsky, Anatomically Correct Hibiscus, 2013. Knitted yarn. Photo by Megan Jones.
