My name is Marjolein Hessels, I am an artist and anthroposophical physician. I combine my scientific perspective with my artistry. I embroider portraits of plants. Through my Plant Portraits, I aim to give plants a platform as living beings. I transfer the plant onto silk. I do this using a technique also employed in herbal medicine: infusions. The idea behind it is: removing matter creates space for the spirit. An intangible body of the plant appears in colour on the silk thread. Using these colours, I embroider the portrait of the plant in its own hues. For the portrait, I use, amongst other things, the root drawings by Prof. Lichtenegger and Dr Kutchera, as well as my own photographs and drawings. The scientific root drawings represent the tangible world, the world as we know it. The colours provided by the plant represent the intangible world, the world we encounter.

Through my Plant Portraits, I aim to raise awareness of the living world around us. In today’s world, humans take center stage, while the rights and needs of plants, animals, and other living systems—such as oceans and rivers—are overlooked. I believe it is important for us to realize that we share this planet and that we must take good care of one another. I believe that experiencing the inspiration of the world around us helps us do just that.