A single large flower—its beautiful anatomy revealed in black and white is highlighted by burnished copper, green and touches of turquoise in this acrylic abstract painting by Fiona Ackerman. The Vancouver-based artist was inspired to create a new series based on 17th century botanical illustrations by women naturalists.

The 3D effect is a trick of the eye - the surface of the painting is flat.

“I realized that my botanical paintings were not really about nature but about my relationship to nature, my curiosity. My experience of nature as an outsider. About my hunger to understand nature. To feel at home in nature. My desire to love it and want to protect it rather than fear it.” Fiona Ackerman

Originally from Montreal, Fiona Ackerman studied painting at Concordia University and completed a BFA at the Emily Carr University of Art and Design in 2002. She has held more than 20 solo exhibitions internationally. Fiona’s studio practice extends beyond painting to include several large-scale murals, video and other public art projects. In her free time, she writes and records music and videos, often working with other musicians. She currently lives and works in Vancouver BC.