Macoto Murayama can spend months on one of his botanical illustrations, and when he’s done, the plant looks like something that blossomed in outer space. First, he dissects his subject with a scalpel, from stamen to sepal. Then he sketches and photographs each component with the help of a basic microscope and magnifying glass. Once it’s all composited with 3ds Max and Photoshop, the resulting images seem equal parts x-ray and autopsy.

“There’s an overwhelming charm in the detailed drawings of both plants and machines,” Murayama says. “Machines have an organic side, while plants have a mechanical side.” In some of his pieces, labels and measurement scales hint at traditional botanical sketches. On others, the ghostly skeletons and hypnotic symmetries speak for themselves.

Rose



Inkjet on paper (white film)

Sweet Pea



Inkjet on paper (white film)

Transvaal Daisy



Inkjet on paper (white film)

Sweet Pea



Inkjet on paper (white film)

Spider Lily



Inkjet on paper (white film)

Yoshino Cherry



Inkjet on paper (white film)

Sunflower



Inkjet on paper (white film)

Rose



Inkjet on paper (white film)

Sunflower



Inkjet on paper (white film)