Travelling border

In a globalised world, the trafficking of goods and people keeps increasing over ever greater distances. In biology, the concept of exotic species refers to entities that have established themselves outside their natural or original habitat. Most of these exotic species do nnot cause problems, sometimes simply because they cannot adapt to our climate.Others have managed to establish themselves, but do not become apest or cause disturbances or damage. However, a small minority of species do, after putting down roots and expanding, have a negative impact on nature, agriculture, public health or infrastructure. They are referred to as an ‘invasive exotic species’.
To depict this subject, Stéphanie leblon collaborated with scientistis from the Meise Botanic Garden and opted to make a triptych. Her composition scheme follows the hierarchy of a traditional triptych. The inside is a shading of colours while the outsides are brushed in grey tones. In the middle part we see exotic species that are ingrained in out culture and have become fully accepted over time, such as the potato. The plants who are paintend in grisaille are plant species that are invasive and threatening, putting them on an ‘index’ like sinners. Leblon uses the oil-painting technique where layers of glaze are applied gradually and allows various plant species to drift or float in an oceanic universe. Despite painting from direct observation, the artist does not aim for the accurate identity