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. With these Plant Portraits, I provide a platform for the essence of the plant to appear in its own colours. Scientific drawings (“root drawings”) by Prof. Erwin Lichtenegger and Dr. Lore Kutchera are used as the basis for the embroideries, edited with my own photographs and drawings of the plant. The scientifically recorded drawings of the plants represent the physical world we know, and the colours of the plants represent the non-material world we encounter. This gives the viewer the space to relate to both the visible and invisible aspects of the plant.

With my Plant Portraits, I want to create awareness for the living world around us. In today’s world, humans are central, and the rights and needs of plants, animals, and other living systems such as seas and rivers are overlooked. I believe it is important that we realize that we live together on this planet and that we must take good care of each other. I believe that experiencing the inspiration of the world around us helps in this regard.