Exhibitions to visit...
Exhibitions to see : Flowers at the Saatchi
7.5.25
As interior designers we gather inspiration from a plethora of sources, and this exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery has a truly bountiful supply of inspo!
It’s so good they have extended the show through the summer until 31st AUgust, definitely a ‘must-see’.
Encompassing every aspect of culture, from painting, print making, photography and sculpture, to music, film and literature, science and fashion, with interior design, wallpaper and fabrics too, it really is an exhibition that covers all bases, bringing flowers to the fore.
“This exhibition reveals the myriad ways that flowers continue to be depicted by artists and their omnipresence within our contemporary culture. Occupying two floors and over nine major gallery spaces, this exhibition features large-scale installations, original art, photography, fashion,
archival objects and graphic design exploring the ongoing influence of flowers on creativity and human expression.
Over 500 unique artworks and objects are on display throughout the exhibition,
divided into nine sections – from Roots, In Bloom, Flowers and Fashion, Science: Life & Death, to New Shoots – each exploring different creative themes and media.”
FROM THE SAATCHI WEBSITE
HERE ARE SOME OF OUR HIGHLIGHTS…
ROOTS
In the first couple of rooms there is a run down of the history of flowers, including in the home environment, with nods to interior household names like Sanderson…
…and William Morris.
IN BLOOM
And painting and print by big names in the contemporary art world, like Michael Craig Martin….
…Gary Hume…
…Elizabeth Blackadder…
…and some sumptuous metal sculpture by Ann Carrington.
FLOWERS AND FASHION
Where else can you see Vivienne Westwood displayed in front of a William Morris wallpaper, love it!
And a potted history of Mary Quant’s instantly recognisable flower motifs.
CULTURE
There are rooms dedicated to flowers in photography…
…film…
…music…
…and Literature
A spectacular installation by Miguel Chevalier with digital flowers that move and dance as people walk past.
And my personal highlight, an installation by Rebecca Louise Law made from thousands of dried flowers and leaves…
…the shadows cast on the walls of this double height room were simply spectacular. I was in this room for ages!
SCIENCE : LIFE AND DEATH
Then into a room that demarks how science and maths utilise the properties of flora and fauna. From medicinal plants…
…to poisonous ones.
NEW SHOOTS
Then, oh joy of joys, a whole space dedicated to works by emerging and early-career artists working today. A room of paintings by contemporary artists working hard to make their way in the 21st Century art world. Just a few of my favourites here….Orlanda Broom…
…Ally McIntyre...
…and Faye Bridgwater.
All in all, it is a Genuinely joyous exhibition. a riot of colour. a celebration of life. A MUST see!
Written by Rebecca Hunt