Ellen Hutchins Illustration

This piece was created for a group exhibition titled “Praising the Dead” organised by Illustrators Ireland. Participating illustrators were tasked with creating an image on the theme of remembrance by reimagining iconic figures from Irish history through art. The exhibition ran from 8 May to 13 June 2025 at Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich, 216 Falls Rd, Belfast BT12 6AH, Northern Ireland

My contribution celebrates talented botanical illustrator, Ellen Hutchins (1785-1815), also regarded as Ireland’s first female botanist. During her short life, she discovered many important new species. Her pioneering legacy of seaweed, lichen, moss and liverwort specimens, collected from her home in Bantry, Co. Cork is now housed in herbariums across the world.