As part of her year-long research for Into the Seeds of Time, artist Vivienne Schadinsky spoke with Dr. Caspar Chater, a senior researcher at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, whose work focuses on legume evolution and conservation.
As one of Schadinsky’s scientific advisors, Chater brings a botanical lens to the cultural, ecological and nutritional roles that beans play across the world. From runner beans on UK allotments to drought-tolerant cowpeas in Africa, his insights reveal not just the science, but the stories within the seed.
Legumes offer far more than the protein buzzwords seen on supermarket shelves. They come packed with complex carbohydrates, fibre, and essential minerals that support gut health and human wellbeing. Yet their most extraordinary trait lies beneath the surface: a microscopic partnership with soil bacteria that allows legumes to fix nitrogen directly from the atmosphere. This natural process reduces the need for synthetic fertilisers, cuts greenhouse gas emissions, and improves soil health for the long term.
According to Chater, the legume family also embodies resilience. As climate change intensifies, crops face increasing stress from heat, drought, and unpredictable weather. In response, researchers are turning to both domesticated and wild legumes, tapping into their genetic diversity to develop hardier, more adaptable crops.
The conversation underscores a central thread in Into the Seeds of Time: that looking closely at plants, and listening to those who study them, can open windows onto the interconnected futures of our bodies, our food and the planet itself.