BOTANICA

Leonardo Davinci said ‘We know more about the movement of celestial bodies than we do about the soil underfoot’ - this is still true today, not only about our connection with the land, but the food we eat, and one another.

Conceived during Melbourne’s long lockdown Botanica is a six episode television series by Melbourne artist, Tania Knight.

“As a new member of the local Community Garden I was intrigued by the voices I heard, and struck by the realisation that community gardens were more than just beautiful places; they represented a microcosm of humanity's potential for beauty, cooperation and compassion.

In the garden I found a bountiful source of inspiration for characters and creative projects, it was like all of humanity was reflected back at me. Perfectly imperfect looking produce, so much more delicious than it’s ‘perfect’ supermarket likeness. A bit like the love inspired by imperfect, authentic human beings, compared to their filtered instagram representations. I saw plants that supported other plants, plants that impeded the growth of others. I watched patiently while magic was happening beneath the soil during what felt like an endless winter as trees dropped their leaves and appeared dormant before blooming again as the season changed.

Inspired by the garden, its remarkable impact on people's lives, and a meme that was terrifyingly relatable, I created Botanica. What started as no more than a glimmer of possibility, is now a script for a six part television series.

The series revolves around the lives of six multi-generational women and a neuro-diverse man who find solace, joy, and connection in a community garden as it faces the threat of development.

Vulnerably I shared the first few episodes with a few exceptional creatives I respect and trust. The feedback was unanimous - the characters can be heard, they are funny and relatable - what happens next?

I have since garnered support from some incredible artists and created After Jane to help me bring Botanica to life. While developing and getting a new series to production is a monumental and sometimes overwhelming challenge, the support of my growing creative community, belief in the story, and love for the characters inspires me to keep on keeping on” - Tania