Launch Recite Me assistive technology
A small green plant grows from a crack between a concrete wall and a pebbled ground. The plant has delicate, feathery leaves that spread outwards against the grey stone.

Photography: Incredible! The office plants from the world's biggest companies by Polly Brown

—
Date
6 September 2013

Well this is probably on of the most concise and best projects I’ve seen in a very long time. Artist, photographer, creative director and general clever lady Polly Brown has crept into our lives via an email from a friend of hers telling us to divert our eyeballs towards her immediately. And thank goodness she did!

Polly’s latest project involved her visiting some very, very high profile offices (Victoria Beckham, Veuve Clicquot and Vogue to name just a few) and photographing not the famous workers within, oh no, Polly was there for the plants. Every office has a plant, be it droopy, plastic or exotic, there’s usually one hanging about somewhere like a shy member of staff. The fact that Polly has drawn attention to these ubiquitous life forms that sit quietly in our lives is just beautiful. The fact that they’re photographed as if they’re modelling for Juergen Teller is even better. I couldn’t ask for a project I could enjoy more.

A monstera plant with large, perforated leaves grows in front of a dark mesh screen. Below the image, the name “Vivienne Westwood” is printed in a serif typeface.
Above

Polly Brown: Plants

A large, leafy green plant grows from a circular white planter in a bright office. In the background, two people sit at a table, facing away from the camera.
Above

Polly Brown: Plants

White orchids in the foreground frame a view of traditional London townhouses. The buildings feature grey stone facades and rows of sash windows.
Above

Polly Brown: Plants

Pink flowers in a silver metal pot sit on a white ledge against a textured white wall. Bright sunlight casts a sharp shadow of the plant across the surface.
Above

Polly Brown: Plants

A small green plant in a square glass pot sits on a white ledge. The background is split vertically between a white wall and a black wall. Below the image, the text reads “Veuve Clicquot”.
Above

Polly Brown: Plants

An orchid plant sits on a stainless steel kitchen sink drainer. Below the image, the word “Virgin” is printed in a serif typeface.
Above

Polly Brown: Plants

A clear rectangular planter holds a small succulent and a clump of moss. It sits on a wooden surface next to a white card, with the name “Paul Smith” printed below.
Above

Polly Brown: Plants

A close-up of a plant with thick, waxy green leaves and a cluster of small pink flowers. Below the image, the text reads “DAZED AND CONFUSED”.
Above

Polly Brown: Plants

A small green fern grows from a crack between a concrete step and a dark, earthy ground. Below the image, the name “Margaret Howell” is printed in a simple serif typeface.
Above

Polly Brown: Plants

Share Article

About the Author

Liv Siddall

—

Liv joined It’s Nice That as an intern in 2011 and worked across online, print and events, and was latterly Features Editor before leaving in May 2015.

It's Nice That Newsletters

Fancy a bit of It's Nice That in your inbox? Sign up to our newsletters and we'll keep you in the loop with everything good going on in the creative world.