A Life Livelier: British art and diplomacy in Costa Rica

While official diplomatic relations began in the 19th century, interactions between the two countries date back much further, to the 16th century and to one of Britain’s most well-known historical figures. Sir Francis Drake, one of Queen Elizabeth I’s most famous sailors, voyaged the world between 1577 to 1580. He used a small bay in Costa Rica as a port during his raids on Spanish and Portuguese ships carrying treasure from their colonies in South America. This earned him the nickname El Draque or The Dragon. Rumour has it that Drake’s treasure is still buried in this small bay, now known as Bahía Drake.

Jacobus Houbraken, Sir Francis Drake (1540-1596) privateer, Admiral and explorer, from The Heads and Characters of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain, 1743–52

James Ireland, Untitled © James Ireland

Almost 6% of the world’s species live in Costa Rica. The country is a leader in conservation and a key advocate for fighting global climate change. In the Ambassador’s Residence, waterfalls, volcanic landforms, meandering paths and hills encourage visitors to wander between real and symbolic landscapes from both the UK and Costa Rica.

Ian Fleming’s linocut Thistles in the Sun reminds us of rural Scottish landscapes. James Ireland’s etching of a tree begins to shed its leaves at the turn of the season, deconstructing those idyllic English landscapes found in holiday brochures and advertisements.

On the other hand, Carmen Gracia’s tree of life is a motif found in many ancient cultures. As a symbol, it unites heaven and earth, connecting all forms of creation. In the Residence, the print also references Costa Rica’s giant ancestral trees, which are found throughout its tropical forests.

There are over 28,000 species of orchids worldwide. 52 of these can be found in the UK and over 1,400 in Costa Rica. One of these, the ‘Guaria morada’ or ‘Guarianthe skinneri’ is the nation’s national flower.

Margret Kroch-Frishman’s vase of red and yellow orchids makes us consider how countries can connect through what they have in common, opening up debates about current issues such as the care and preservation of the environment.

Unknown, British 19th century, Toothless Animals and Duck-Bill, from the Natural History of the Animal Kingdom for the Use of Young People: Part I, 1889

In this printed illustration from a 19th century publication titled Natural History of the Animal Kingdom for the Use of Young People is another of Costa Rica’s national symbols: the sloth. Synonymous with the country’s reputation as a treasure of the natural world, the sloth’s endearing appearance and peaceful demeanour remind us of our collective responsibility towards these vulnerable creatures and of the need to protect them for future generations.

Claire Barclay, A Life Livelier 6, 2009 © Claire Barclay

Claire Barclay’s screen prints (from the series A Life Livelier) are a celebration of bold sculptural forms and bright colours and bring a more forward-looking dimension to the display. The familiar shapes – discs, circles, bowls and cups – are simple but ambiguous in their meaning. Barclay is interested in how contemporary craft fits in a culture defined by mass production. She is fascinated by the contradiction of the commercial world’s desire to make money out of objects such as dream catchers and crystals, all of which were designed initially to encourage people to reject mass-production.