Branchport Galleries in Long Branch, New Jersey, presents "The New Botanical," an exhibition curated by Ellen Martin that reimagines traditional botanical art through contemporary works by Suzan Globus, Kevin Hinkle/Ellen Martin, Daniel Sroka, and Gao Yuan. The show, on view from May 14 to June 30, 2026, features techniques such as flower-pounding, extreme close-up photography, and photo-based wall sculptures, moving away from classical precision toward essence and abstraction. An opening reception and artist talk are scheduled.
This exhibition matters because it challenges the conventions of botanical art, a historically rigid genre, by showcasing 21st-century approaches that emphasize interpretation over realism. By featuring local and regional artists, it highlights the role of community galleries in fostering innovative, accessible art experiences, and underscores the ongoing evolution of nature-inspired visual culture in small-scale art venues.