LETTER FROM THE FOUNDER:
Cash crops have shaped my family’s history. My mother was born on a sugarcane plantation in Guyana. She was cared for by my great grandmother—the cane cutter. My father, now a carpenter, grew up on a farm in Alberta, Canada. With my familial connections to plants, I’ve always been frustrated by the elitism of botanical spaces and their continual exclusion of historically marginalized communities. In an effort to highlight underrepresented voices and perspectives, my artistic and educational practice have come together to form the Center for Plants & Culture—a BIPOC digital platform that explores the many ways our politics, economics, and society are shaped by plants.
Through collaboration with global grassroots organizations, workers, activists, and artists, the Center for Plants & Culture is looking to redefine the conversation around botany through our social content, programs, and exhibitions. For every project, we ensure that those experiencing the brunt of land and labor exploitation are at the forefront of the conversation. By making history and labor personal, we encourage viewers to consider the human being behind the plant—behind the commodity. As we continue to grow as an educational platform, we’re committed to using plants and personal narratives as a way to foster inclusivity, critical thinking, and reflection.
Hope you join us on our journey…
Alexandria Douziech, Founder