A Short History of Flowers, Stamford Arts Centre

This author-lecture at Stamford Arts Centre includes tales of exploration, unrequited but also enduring love, botanical piracy and excessive hybridisation bringing these beautiful flowers to life.

From the flamboyant bougainvillea, collected in Rio de Janeiro by an 18th-century female botanist in disguise to the deliciously scented stock which made a journey across France bearable for a 19th century traveller.

These flowers have played pivotal roles in our societies across the world, from boom to bust economies, the Fuchsia hedgerows of Ireland as well as making bold fashion statements, these unassuming blooms hold treasure troves of stories.

The lecture is based on Advolly’s upcoming book, A Short History of Flowers to be published in February 2024 with specially commissioned artworks from award-winning botanical illustrator Sarah Jane Humphrey.