Susanne Kühn — Algae, Orchids and Stones

During the last few months (2024), I have had the privilege to study algae and orchids with Aurélie Grall who is botanist and curator of the BASBG herbarium, Herbaria Basel, University of Basel, Department of Environmental Sciences, as well as with Edgar Dürrenberger, director Zentrales Kunstdepot Freiburg, and Dr. Silke Stoll, director, Museum Mensch und Natur, Freiburg. My work at the research institutions includes simple pencil drawings of algae and orchids on a standard A4 paper. With the help of a magnifying lens I study structures and forms of these marine plants and orchids. I am interested in growth-patterns and the morphology and how I can use these characteristics in my paintings. Furthermore, I am looking for the influence and role of women in the creation of these plant collections and its histories.

photos: Bernhard Strauss

Amphiroa orbigniana
Herbarien Basel
2024
pencil on paper
29,7 x 21cm

Claudea elegans
Herbarien Basel
2024
pencil on paper
29,7 x 21cm

Microcladia coulteri
Herbarien Basel
2024
pencil on paper
29,7 x 21cm

Rotalge Delesseria sinuosa
Zentrales Kunstdepot Freiburg
2024
pencil on paper
29,7 x 21cm

Ophrys reinholdii Fleischm.
Herbarien Basel
2024
pencil on paper
29,7 x 21cm

o.T. ,
Zentrales Kunstdepot Freiburg
2024
pencil on paper
29,7 x 21 cm

Halarachnion ligulatum, Herbarien Basel
2024
pencil on paper
29,7 x 21 cm

o.T. , Zentrales Kunstdepot Freiburg
2024
pencil on paper
29,7 x 21 cm

Halarachnion ligulatum,
Herbarien Basel
2024
pencil on paper
29,7 x 21 cm

o.T.
Herbarien Basel
2024
pencil on paper
29,7 x 21 cm

Halymenia dubyi,
Herbarien Basel
2024
pencil on paper
29,7 x 21 cm

Claudea elegans
Herbarien Basel
2024
pencil on paper
29,7 x 21 cm

Stone, Magalef
2024
pencil on paper
29,7 x 21 cm

Ptilota formosissima Montagne, 2024,

2024 Scytosiphon lomentaria

2024 Asperococcus compressus

2024 Rhodophyllis veprecula

2024 Champia affinis

2024 Nitophyllum ocellatum

Ulva reticulata Forsskal 1775, 2025, 29,7 x 21 cm, Bleistift auf Papier

Kosmas 14.9.25, 2025, 29,7 x 21 cm, Bleistift auf Papier

Poulithra, 13.9.25, 2025, 29,7 x 21 cm, Bleistift auf Papier

Leonidio 19.9.25, 2025, 29,7 x 21 cm, Bleistift auf Papier

Poulithra, 17.9.25, 2025, 29,7 x 21 cm, Bleistift auf Papier