Strange Plants ~ A Peculiar and Beautiful New Book from Zio

Strange Plants, by LA-based Zio Baritaux, is a bizarre and mystical look into the world of plants and the art they inspire. The book features the work of 25 artists—from oozing paintings of rotting cacti to eerie, mesmeric photos of the leafy kudzu vine—and discusses the role plants play in the artists’ personal lives. The book has articles, interviews, and amazingly rendered images that erase distinctions between natural and supernatural.

“The artists in this book were challenged to think about their work in new ways and ruminate on their unique experiences with plants,” editor Zio Baritaux says. “I hope this book will inspire others, and challenge the way people look at both plants and art.”

Keep reading for preview images and more info. You can buy the book here but act quickly as it's nearly sold out.

Several tattoo artists, particularly those with distinct or surreal styles, were also asked to create works with plants in mind. FUZI UVTPK, Isaiah Toothtaker, L.M. Knight, Glue Sniffer, Slawomir Nitschke, David Cote, Charley Gerardin and Tomas Redrey contributed flash designs, ranging from a flowerpot smoking a cigarette to an opium poppy in the shape of a naked woman.

Each book comes with a blank stamped surface with three matte paper adhesives inside, which readers can use to make their own covers.