There is more to flowers than just their physical beauty. Their influence on our contemporary culture and significance in history is explored in this exhibition, which showcases over 500 artworks, including photography, fashion, film, music, literature, and science.
The exhibition is divided into 9 parts, each exploring different themes. Roots, the first room, establishes the history of flowers in art, with references to the Romantic era and Art Nouveau. There are featured artists such as Alphonse Mucha, a renowned artist during the Art Nouveau movement who produced highly recognisable and stylised posters. A dedicated space for William Morris includes his own works, such as loaned tapestries and tiles from the William Morris Gallery. It also features his influences and inspirations with the likes of John Keats’ poetry, William De Morgan’s tiles, and Walter Crane’s illustrations. An interesting aspect of the curation in this room is its layout where each painting is accompanied by a contemporary counterpart. Beside John Baptiste Bosschaert’s ‘Still Life with Flowers’, is a 70-minute looped film that sits in a frame and looks like a still life painting itself by Rob and Nick Carter titled ‘Transforming Flowers in a Vase’. At first glance it may just look like a photograph of a vase of flowers; however, if you observe closely, you’ll notice the subtle movements in this film. The room concludes with a large tempera print of Sandro Botticelli’s Primavera on display. Unfortunately, the large-scale print fails to make the intended impact, as most visitors simply walk past it. For a room dedicated to classical paintings, this is rather disappointing to witness.
The second room titled ‘In Full Bloom’; focuses on contemporary artworks by international artists. Artist Anne Von Freyburg was present at the press viewing to discuss her process behind her textile piece ‘Floral Arrangement 1’ (After Jan van Huysum, Still Life). She mentioned the significance of flowers and textiles in this piece as a means of reclaiming female identity and power. It’s a vibrant arrangement hung on the wall with strings of thread spilling down to the ground, almost looking like drips of thick acrylic paint.
The third room focuses on fashion and how flowers are incorporated into clothing and accessories, with displays by iconic designers such as Vivienne Westwood and Mary Quant. Seeing these garments up close is definitely an exciting opportunity you do not want to miss out on. It doesn’t just stop there, however; flowers in fashion are explored in many different ways in this room, for example, contemporary artist Daniel the Gardener, who uses tattoos of flowers as a means of decorating the body.
The standout room is surely the one with Rebecca Louise Law’s installation, La Fleur Morte, which explores the space between life and death. An immersive space where over 100,000 dried-up flowers hang down from the ceiling, taking up the whole 2000 square feet of the room.
Other rooms in the exhibition, such as room 8, which is dedicated to science, or room 6, dedicated to flowers in media (film, music, and literature), seem less engaged with the central theme. They appear more as general displays providing additional content without deeply engaging with the overarching narrative.
The exhibition effectively showcases the various ways flowers have been explored and incorporated into art. Overall, there are numerous pieces in this exhibition that you won’t want to miss. Featuring iconic works by major artists as well as new exhibits by contemporary artists being shown for the first time, the exhibition offers a unique and enriching experience for its audience.
Review by Rim Alkaiat
Featured Image : Rebecca Louise Law, The Womb, 2019-20. Courtesy the artist
Tickets: https://www.saatchigallery.com/product/flowers
Read Rim’s latest Review: Kew Gardens Orchid Festival 2025 – a dazzling and vibrant tribute to Peru’s natural landscape – until 2 March – Abundant Art
