Celestial Hybrid – Fantasy Plant Series

Blown glass sculpted vessel, part of the 'Fantasy Plant' series. These imagined plants of the future are inspired by extinct and endangered plants. Drawing inspiration from the natural world, Michèle Oberdieck has produced an installation of imagined plants and vegetation which are intended to question the effects of climate change on our environment, food security and public perception of science in society. Speaking to researchers at various plant science research centres as well as studying extinct and newly discovered plants at the Herbarium in Kew Gardens, Oberdieck has been working on new abstracted forms blown from hot glass to stimulate a debate on plant welfare. Oberdieck translates her gestural sketches into fluid sculptural works rich in colour using hand blown glass making techniques to create her vision of the plants of the future. photos by Sylvain Deleu