Troubled Garden: Study for Migratory Roots

This body of work investigates the role of botany in the commercial and territorial expansion of Europe, beginning in the 18th century. It traces the journey of the Persian Hogweed from Iran to Buckingham Palace, where it was valued as an ornamental plant, and its eventual introduction to North America after the Second World War. Initially prized in international botanical diplomacy, the plant’s desirability faded once it was no longer useful in such political and economic exchanges.

The project honors the challenges of migratory journeys, the scattering of seeds, and the preservation of cultural heritage far from one’s homeland. The inquiry explores the interests that shape the construction of discourses distinguishing the local, familiar, and the foreign, perceived as a threat. By doing so, it aims to disentangle the Persian Hogweed from the negative perceptions that have hindered its survival, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the adaptability and resilience required for its acclimatization.