We went to the “Orchids: Amazing Adaptations” exhibit in the courtyard of the Smithsonian’s American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery, presented by the US Botanic Garden and Smithsonian Gardens. The display was quite creative this year, with large models of various kinds of orchids interspersed among live orchids as well as colorful backdrops for some of the flowers.

This model was inspired by Psychopsis versteegiana, Versteeg’s Psychopsis, found from Ecuador to Bolivia. It was created by Phaan Howng, a Taiwanese-American artist based in Baltimore, in FDM and resin 3D print, steel, wood, papier mache, rubber paint and acrylic paint in 2023.

I find it interesting that the artist always incorporates her first name, Phaan, into the title of her artworks.

Orchids and a fantastical ‘tree,’ posted earlier: