Throwing Shapes@Kew
Author: Trusha Naidoo
Date: 8th August 2019
Let’s be honest, Kew in Summer is a delight. Now, there’s even more to marvel at. Immense glass sculptures rise out of the gardens like they’ve been planted there. American artist, Dale Chihuly, has taken over the gardens on an epic scale. His sculptures are so organic they fit into the garden like a force of nature. The last time he wowed Kew with his “art of glass” was 13 years ago. His return is long overdue.
If his work looks familiar, you may have seen his massive, squiggly chandelier at the entrance of the V & A. Calling it a chandelier is an understatement. It’s a giant explosion of colour and energy before you start to explore one of London’s foremost museums. Talk about setting the tone for what’s to come.
When you stroll through the garden, you can either look for each of his works on a map or just come across them at random. Truth be told, they’re hard to miss. These large-scale pieces feature strong colours and bold techniques. From the flower beds, to the glasshouses, to the Japanese garden, his work insinuates itself into the landscape with languid, hand blown stealth. It takes the idea of “botanical art” to the next level.
The exhibition aims to draw a new audience to the gardens. Attendance figures have surged as soon as it opened. Mission accomplished. By all accounts, it was no easy feat to assemble these massive works in the UK. They arrived in 11 containers from Seattle. It took 18 days to put the works together with the most complex piece, the Icicle Tower, having 1882 separate parts. Yet somehow, Kew and Chihuly’s team got it right. Now we have the pleasure of experiencing Chihuly at Kew: Reflections on Nature until the end of October 2019.
Don’t miss it. It’s a masterclass in glass.
Photography by Brodie Gibson