To cultivate, care, and control _{by Alessia Belsito-Riera}

In 1829, an invention was developed that, for better or worse, would alter the world. The Wardian Case was a small glasshouse, photographer Mark Smith says. “It allowed for the safe travel of botanical material over long distances. Plants that were exotic and unattainable in one country could now be grown, and even become ubiquitous on the other side of the globe.”

This process changed landscapes irrevocably, making the familiar and foreign blur over time. For Aotearoa in particular, the timing of the invention coupled with the influx of European settlers meant the case played a vital role in colonisation.

Curiosity around settler gardens led botanical artist Felicity Jones to discover the Wardian Case, which served as the catalyst for her and Smith’s visual storytelling. Their ongoing collaboration explores the ongoing effects of botanical globalisation.

The cases themselves “represent European ideas around order and control, often conflicting with the Indigenous cultures of their landing places”, Mark continues, adding that visual containment is used to highlight tensions between physical and cultural landscapes.

The pair have travelled throughout Aotearoa with their own interpretation of Wardian Cases, juxtaposing the native and the exotic, but last year they visited England to provide a counterpoint. Some of these images can be seen in Case Studies III, at Bowen Galleries until the 15^th of September.

A mix of history, art, and science, their work has connected with many “through personal memories of childhood gardens and nature,” Mark beams. “We hope learning from the past will inspire further discussion around the importance of plants and creating a sustainable future.”