Telma Cavalieri Victorio:
Sloanea massonii
2022, coloured pencil on paper. Courtesy of the artist.
The species is named after Hans Sloane, the founder of the British Museum in London, whose wealth mostly derived from slavery. The illustrator purposefully discounts the namesake placement within the Latin name and instead interprets the plant’s characteristics based on the literal meanings of Sloanea (Gaelic) and massonii (Latin). Sloane is a name found both in Scotland and Ireland, which means “raider” and massoni, which means “mason”. Following the methodology of ancient herbologists, who looked to the natural environment to define plants and their respective properties, such as cold, hot, dry or humid, the illustration positions the plant as one with a strong base, capable of taking root in the rocks of the great Scottish cliffs facing
the sea. The plant’s large and succulent leaves, thorns, and delicate flowers of contrasting colours make it able to survive strong winds and still attract pollinating agents.
Telma Cavalieri Victorio holds an MA in Scientific Digital Documentation of Artistic Heritage, Universidade Federal da Bahia - Brazil. She participates in education programmes related to reforestation and afroecology at the Matutu Nature Reserve in Serra da Mantiqueira (Minas Gerais - Brazil). Since 2020 she is a student of Botanical Illustration at Kew Gardens, London, UK.