Book Review: Pollen – The Hidden Sexuality of Flowers
Reviewed by Brett Kerley
Kesseler, Rob & Harley, Madeline Pollen – The Hidden Sexuality Of Flowers. Firefly Books Ltd., 2006. ISBN-13: 978-1554072194
This book was first published in 2006, and has been so successful that it’s on its fourth edition. It was published in association with the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew Gardens. The authors, Rob and Madeline, worked with botanical scientists and molecular biologists around the world to explore the microscopic living world. They used a range of complex microscopy processes to create multi-frame composite images of plant organs. This book is for any gardener or amateur photographer who is into seeing beyond the outer layers of the flower petal.
The intense, large format photographs in this coffee table book captivate the eye. When I say large, I really mean large. This hardback book is 12×12” in size. And, with 264 pages, it’s also quite heavy.
Throughout the book you’ll get a close up image of a flower on one page, and on the facing page is the stunning, alien-looking pollen. The authors also refer to the history, uses, and the many ways pollen impacts our lives. The book describes and illustrates in minute detail the reproductive workings of plants, ranging from tulips and lilies to orchids and palms. Although this book was a quick read, it’s a gorgeously gripping reflection of the amazing world we live in and a subtle but palpable living reminder to cherish, honour and preserve the planet’s precious biodiversity.
About the Authors
Visual artist Rob Kesseler is University of the Arts London Chair in Arts, Design & Science. His long career has often used plants as a source of inspiration. In 2001 he was appointed NESTA Fellow at Kew. Since then he has worked with microscopic plant material. His work has been shown in museums and galleries in the UK, Europe and North America. https://www.robkesseler.co.uk/
Dr. Madeline Harley was a botanist, until her retirement in 2005, Head of the Pollen Research Unit at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Her research work, which is internationally recognised, is concerned mainly with the study of species-specific pollen characteristics in the field of flowering plant evolution and relationships. She has authored or co-authored more than 80 professional articles and books.
