The Future of Orchids: Conservation and Collaboration

Smithsonian Gardens and the United States Botanic Garden present the 28^th annual orchid exhibition, filling the entire Kogod Courtyard of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. The display features a series of newly commissioned and loaned works by contemporary multimedia artist, Phaan Howng, to help audiences visualize the future of orchids and be inspired to take action towards a sustainable future.

Local Baltimore-based artist Howng is known for her large-scale paintings and immersive installations that explore the complex relationships between humans and nature. She drew inspiration for her series "The Orchids' Fungi Garden Paradise" from Smithsonian Gardens’ vibrant Orchid Collection, adapting 3D scans of orchids created by the Smithsonian Digitization Program Office. Her works incorporate and accompany around 350 live orchids from the collection in the exhibition.