Contingent Existence

Contingent Existence is a collaboration between naturalist Jeanette Henderson and photographer Jennifer Steensma Hoag. Henderson collected non-native species and created floral arrangements. Hoag then transformed the arrangements into photographic images inspired by historical European still life paintings. Intentionally brought to North America to fulfill aesthetic, medicinal, culinary, and landscaping needs—or unintentionally as stowaways in pots or ship ballasts—the existence of these specimens in Michigan are the result of human intervention.

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Contingent Existence is part of Botanica exhibition by Jennifer Steensma Hoag. Botanica consists of three sets of photographic images that considers the visuals that humans make to understand, appreciate, and communicate about the natural world.​ Artwork in this exhibit was made possible through a sabbatical leave provided by Calvin University.

 

All photographs are copyright Jennifer Steensma Hoag.