For centuries, flowers have inspired artists and creatives to bloom some of their best pieces and artworks, with an exciting exhibition currently on display in London celebrating this justified fixation, and continuous omnipresence within the contemporary art scene.
Completely transforming two floors and nine major art spaces at London’s iconic Saatchi Gallery, the exhibition features large-scale installations, original art, photography, fashion, and beyond, exploring the ongoing influence of flowers on creativity and human expression.
Flowers: Flora In Contemporary Art & Culture
Simply entitled Flowers: Flora In Contemporary Art & Culture, these nine rooms delve into different aspects of the alluring mystique seen throughout both the botanical and art worlds.
This must-see exhibition seeks to unravel and reveal the myriad ways that flowers have and continue to inspire artists, going back to the very beginning with their “Roots” room—where you’ll witness the rich history of artists depicting blooms and harnessing their symbolic power, from the Renaissance through to Dutch flower painting, and beyond.
From thereon, you’ll experience some of the best contemporary pieces that take inspiration from different flowers. Saatchi have even presented two large-scale bespoke installations, inviting visitors to reflect on the beauty and drama seen within flora art.
Beyond the obvious aesthetics, flowers are also utilised as symbols, signifiers or metaphors for human emotions and impulses—with the exhibit providing fabulous insight into hidden meanings and figurative expressions that come with the selected flora-riffic pieces.
One of the most impressive artworks on display will be by internationally renowned artist Rebecca Louise Law, called La Fleur Morte, featuring over 100,000 dried flowers on trails of wire for visitors to explore and engage in quiet moments of reflection.
The installation includes more than 40 varieties of flowers and plants, including Achillea, Camomile, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Daisy, Dahlia, Hibiscus, Hydrangea, Lavender, Lily, Nigella, Poppy, Rose and Wheat—immersing you in a vibrant wonderland of flowers that’s an absolute dream.
However, it doesn’t stop there. There’s also another immersive artwork on display at this must-see exhibition by French artist Miguel Chevalie, composed of a virtual garden which reimagines nature through digital art, directly interacting with its audience through movement.
Paul Foster, Saatchi Gallery Director comments: “The Gallery is delighted to pay homage to nature and celebrate the manifold ways that artists have been inspired by nature.”
You can witness Flowers: Flora In Contemporary Art & Culture at the Saatchi Gallery from Friday 30 May, through to 31 August. This unmissable exhibition opened earlier in the spring, with this anticipated reopening happening due to popular demand.
Standard entry costs £20 with a donation. For more information and bookings, click here to visit the Saatchi website.