John Pirman: Diving into Nature

Dive into nature this summer at Selby Gardens with the iconic art of Sarasota designer and illustrator John Pirman.

Pool Divers, 1988

Pirman’s widely celebrated artwork is featured in the galleries of the Museum of Botany & the Arts and outdoors across the Gardens of our Downtown Sarasota campus.

The exhibition’s indoor displays loosely follow Pirman’s development as an artist, from his childhood years in Ohio, through his freelance illustration career in New York City, to his current practice in Sarasota, which celebrates the natural beauty and historical architecture that makes the region special.

Continuing outside in the Gardens, the show features large-scale prints of Pirman’s illustrations on aluminum, set directly in the landscape. Among these are several beloved views of Selby Gardens, including the Selby House, the Koi Pond, and the Moreton Bay Fig Tree, displayed in situ in their respective locations.

Natural elements like water, sun, and foliage featured in many of the works on display resonate with the tropical environment of our botanical garden setting, creating a unique summer experience at The Living Museum®.

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