Botanica Exotica

Introducing Botanica Exotica, a continuing evolution of Eugenie Kawabata's Second Life series.

Botanica Exotica is a stunning showcase of jewel-like vessels, inspired by the lush plant life of Melbourne's botanical gardens. These pieces reflect the rich tapestry and intricate interplay of colours and textures found in the natural world; and with this collection, we step into a world of exoticism, each piece offering a captivating glimpse into the botanical domain.

In 2020, the National Gallery of Victoria acquired a piece from Kawabata's very first collection of her Second Life series. Now, in 2023, Kawabata has taken her creative vision to new heights with a collection that bursts with vibrant colours, intriguing textures, and a refreshing playfulness that underlies the complexity of these individual works. In Botanica Exotica, Kawabata continues to breathe new life into discarded materials by transforming them into canvases for a bricolage of botanical musings.

The Second Life series continues to challenge the traditional notions of materiality and utility, proving that sometimes the greatest treasures can be found in unexpected places. Botanica Exotica is a celebration of the idea that one person's trash can truly be another person's treasure.

Kawabata is driven by the transformative power of design and its ability to shape and improve our physical world. Her design practice emphasizes a hands-on approach that embraces the notion of both craft and material experimentation. Kawabata has a strong commitment to sustainability and her design works are primarily one-of-a-kind pieces and limited editions.