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BOTANICAL PRINT PORTFOLIO 2002
uKhahlamba Drakensberg Flowers by Tessa Dean

Only 500 individually signed and numbered sets of prints were published before the plates were destroyed, adding greatly to their rarity and collectibility. Prints are available in sets or individually.
- The 490 x 570mm prints are superbly reproduced lithographs with fine detail in full colour on high quality paper. Each picture is accompanied by descriptive text by Elsa Pooley, author of the definitive books on the flowers and trees of the eastern regions of South
Africa.

Former Chairman of the Trust, AL (Jack) Crutchley states “ The uKhahlamba Drakensberg World Heritage Park is famous for its spectacular scenery, its wealth of plants and animals and its rich array of San rock art and is a favourite destination for lovers of the outdoors. It is internationally recognised as an area of global botanical importance. The uKhahlamba (‘barrier of spears’) Drakensberg escarpment and the Lesotho highlands, including the highest peak in southern Africa, Thabana-ntlenyana (3,482m), is the only place in the region where alpine plants can be found, thriving under extreme weather conditions. Tessa Dean’s exquisite botanical watercolours of selected uKhahlamba Drakensberg flowers draw attention to the floral wonders of these magnificent mountains. The flowers depicted were collected in the wild from closeto the summit at almost 3,000m and

the artist’s careful observation and skilful painting have combined to give us lasting portraits of these special plants. The Flora & Fauna Publications Trust is proud to present this portfolio as part of its undertaking to publish works on the flora of our country. It is the first in a series of limited edition botanical portfolios we hope to commission from leading botanical artists to showcase the great beauty and diversity of the plants of southern Africa. We are delighted to announce that Auriol Batten, Gill Condy and Elsa Pooley have already agreed to contribute to such series. These prestigious and internationally-acclaimed artists share the Trust’s vision to preserve and protect our priceless botanical heritage. Tessa Dean’s collection of paintings was chosen to help celebrate the international "Year of the Mountain - 2002". It also complements our Publication, Mountain Flowers, a Field Guide to the Flora of the Drakensberg and Lesotho (publication date: April 2003). We believe that both these publications will bring pleasure and enhance one’s experience of this very special mountain region.”

Further comments made are:
"Some of the world’s finest botanical artists have worked in South Africa, recording and celebrating our unique and diverse flora. Tessa Dean joins the very front rank of these artists with the publication of this portfolio" Mark Read, Everard Read Gallery

"One of our biggest inspirations is integrating nature with the interior - and botanical prints are an ‘evergreen’ way of achieving this" Boyd Ferguson, Cécile & Boyd’s International , Interior Designers

“Tessa Dean’s... work is in the tradition of fine botanical art, namely excellent draughtsmanship, sensitive and skilled use of watercolours, good design and accurate observation... it is obvious she loves the plants she paints” Prof. Esmé Hennessy, Botanist, artist and author

Tessa Dean is one of the most exciting of the new generation of botanical artists. She grew up on her parents farm in the Bushmansnek Valley near Underberg in the Southern Drakensberg. Her love of the animals and plants she encountered hiking in the mountains as a child has deepened into a real passion. Tessa’s work, with its meticulous detail and fine watercolour technique, is in great demand locally and internationally. She was one of the botanical artists commissioned by KZN Wildlife to paint the plants of Giant’s Castle, as part of the declaration of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg World Heritage Park in March 2001.
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