Amy Lamb’s photography engages with plants in dynamic and unexpected ways at different stages of their lifecycle, highlighting their striking individual features. Often set against a dark background to bring out color and form, her essays in plant physiognomy delight and provoke at the same time. A biologist by training, Lamb combines the precision of science with the creativity of artistic design. She uses powerful lenses and carefully calibrated lighting to reveal minute details that are often not easily visible to the naked eye. Her photographs play with scale, staging an encounter with the plant that, instead of anthropomorphizing it, invites respect for its autonomy as another biological species. Many of Lamb’s subjects are grown in her garden: an exercise in patience, care, and close observation.
More Exhibit Items
Caroline Maschek (1857–1938), 1885, 24 x 31.5 cm, gouache on tinted Bristol paper, dated “Janner 885”
![Phalænopsis Luddemanniana [Lüddemanniana], Java, Sander et Rchb. Fil](https://www.doaks.org/resources/online-exhibits/margaret-mee-portraits-of-plants/mixed-media/phalaenopsis-luddemanniana/@@images/image/thumb)
Caroline Maschek (1857–1938), 1885, 24 x 31.5 cm, gouache on tinted Bristol paper, dated “Janner 885”
Caroline Maschek (1857–1938), 1884–91, 24 x 31.5 cm, gouache on tinted Bristol paper, dated “Juni,” added in pencil “Costa Rica”
Caroline Maschek (1857–1938), 1886, 24 x 31.5 cm, gouache on tinted Bristol paper, dated “April 886”
Caroline Maschek (1857–1938), 1884–91, 24 x 31.5 cm, gouache on tinted Bristol paper, dated “Juni”
![Thunia Alba var. Litacina [lilacina?], O. Indien, Hort.](https://www.doaks.org/resources/online-exhibits/margaret-mee-portraits-of-plants/mixed-media/thunia-alba-var-litacina-lilacina-o-indien-hort/@@images/image/thumb)
Caroline Maschek (1857–1938), 1884–91, 24 x 31.5 cm, gouache on tinted Bristol paper, dated “Juni”
Caroline Maschek (1857–1938), 1884–91, 24 x 31.5 cm, gouache on tinted Bristol paper, signed “KBM”
Caroline Maschek (1857–1938), 1884–91, 31.5 × 24 cm, with additional sheet of thin paper measuring 28.5 × 24 cm, gouache on tinted Bristol paper
Alice Tangerini (b. 1949), 1998, 14 x 17 in., drawing pen, brush, and ink on Denril Multi-media film. Loan, Alice Tangerini / Smithsonian Institution
Alice Tangerini (b. 1949), 2015, 14 3/4 x 19 in., drawing, pen, brush, and ink on Denril Multi-media film. On loan, Alice Tangerini / Smithsonian Institution
Alice Tangerini (b. 1949), 1992, 11 1/2 × 15 3/8 in., drawing, pen and ink on Cronaflex Drafting film. Loan, Alice Tangerini / Smithsonian Institution
Amy Lamb (b. 1944), 2004, 50.8 x 50.8 cm, pigment print of photograph. Loan, Amy Lamb
Amy Lamb (b. 1944), 2016, 33.8 x 76.2 cm, pigment print of photograph. Loan, Amy Lamb
Amy Lamb (b. 1944), 2004, 32.5 x 76.2 cm, pigment print of photograph. Loan, Amy Lamb
Nirupa Rao (b. 1990), 2019, 45.7 × 61 cm, watercolor. Loan, Nirupa Rao
Nirupa Rao (b. 1990), 2017, 33.3 × 40.6 cm, watercolor. Loan, Nirupa Rao
Nirupa Rao (b. 1990), 2018, 24.8 × 28.6 cm, watercolor. Loan, Nirupa Rao