Hilde Orye

Biography

It was when we cleaned up the study room of my father after he passed away, that I came across old books on flora. Until then I was not conscious of the fact that there were artists that specialised in botanical art. Coming from a family of arborists, I developed a love for nature from childhood on. In my art, nature always played a leading role, but my art was abstract and conceptual. I longed to return to realistic drawing and botanical art was an artform where I could combine my family background with my passion for drawing. So, in 2016 I took my first baby steps in botanical art with Shevaun Doherty as my teacher (London Art College). To grow further, I decided to enrol on the SBA Distance Learning Diploma Course in 2018. I graduated in 2020 with distinction.

I started teaching botanical art at the botanical garden in Ghent in 2016. Since then, I give workshops in museums and parcs all over the Flemish part in Belgium. In 2020, I became president of our own Belgian Association of Botanical Artists. My own artwork is meant to raise awareness of the beauty of wild flora and fauna. Currently, I am working on two series: The first is a collection of the flora in the coastal region of my hometown Bredene. The other series is a series on butterflies, garden plants and hostplants. I would like to make people aware that hostplants, like the great nettle are essential and can have a place in a regular garden.

I am incredibly happy I discovered botanical art. It has become my profession and it will hopefully stay that for a long time.

Exhibitions:

2021: Dare to be square, ASBA

2021: Plantae, SBA

Awards:

2020: Margaret Stevens Essay award (SBA DLDC)

2022: Botanische Taferelen exhibition, Public Award first place

WEBSITE: www.hildeorye.be

INSTAGRAM: @hildeorye

FACEBOOK: Facebook/OryeHilde