These luminous photographic prints, taken from the groundbreaking book Microcosms – Sacred Plants of the Americas, reveal the hidden architecture of plants revered by Indigenous cultures across the Americas – from peyote and ayahuasca to cacao and tobacco.
Created by microscopy specialist Jill Pflugheber and historian Steven F. White, these images were captured using confocal microscopy – a laser-based technique that scans living tissue layer by layer to produce sharp, three-dimensional images without artificial colouring. The result is a vivid fusion of science and spirit, where cell walls glow like stained glass and microscopic structures become otherworldly landscapes.
Pictured: Banisteriopsis caapi (ayahuasca) – this giant tropical liana that seeks the support of surrounding trees to climb is the basis of a sacred beverage called ayahuasca, or yagé, that is used by highly-prepared Amazonian visionary doctors to engage with spirits from suprasensible worlds, to converse with ancestors, and to diagnose illness in their Indigenous communities. The two words “ayahuasca” and “yagé” are used to name a drink that is composed of more than one plant. But both words also designate the single vine Banisteriopsis caapi on its own.
Printed on premium giclée fine art paper, each image is produced with exceptional clarity and depth of colour, revealing the intricate inner life of these extraordinary plants. Available in three sizes, they bring a sense of wonder and reverence to any space – from studios and galleries to classrooms and meditation rooms.
28cm x 28cm (to fit 40cm x 40cm frame) - £70.00 (inc. VAT) + postage
40cm x 40cm (to fit 50cm x 50cm frame) - £100.00 (inc. VAT) + postage
90cm x 90cm (to fit 1m x 1m frame) – £250.00 (inc. VAT) + postage
Custom sizes are available upon request. Please contact sales@papadakis.net for more information
A celebration of beauty, biology, and cultural connection, these never-seen-before prints invite viewers to look closer at the living world and the knowledge it carries.
• Striking imagery from the acclaimed book Microcosms – Sacred Plants of the Americas
• Created by microscopy specialist Jill Pflugheber and historian Steven F. White
• Captured using confocal laser microscopy – revealing cellular structures in astonishing detail
• No artificial colouring – light and fluorescence create natural spectral effects
• Printed on museum-quality giclée fine art paper with archival inks
• Available in three versatile sizes – ready to frame and display
• Ideal for lovers of art, science, and the natural and spiritual worlds alike
