FLOWERS – FLORA IN CONTEMPORARY ART & CULTURE
Saatchi Gallery, London
Feb 12 – May 5th, 2025
The Saatchi Gallery’s latest exhibition, “FLOWERS – FLORA IN CONTEMPORARY ART & CULTURE,” is a sprawling testament to the enduring allure of botanical imagery in art. Occupying two floors and over nine major gallery spaces, the exhibition features more than 500 unique artworks and objects, ranging from large-scale installations and original art to photography, fashion, archival objects, and graphic design. This ambitious showcase seeks to reveal the myriad ways that flowers continue to be depicted by artists and their omnipresence within our contemporary culture.
One of the exhibition’s highlights is a bespoke installation by Rebecca Louise Law, composed of over 100,000 dried flowers. This immersive piece invites viewers to navigate a suspended garden, prompting reflections on the ephemerality of nature and the passage of time. In contrast, a digital projection space features interactive work by pioneering French artist Miguel Chevalier, whose virtual blossoms respond to visitor movements, blending technology with organic forms to create a mesmerizing experience.
The exhibition is thoughtfully divided into nine sections, each exploring different creative themes and media. From “Roots” and “In Bloom” to “Flowers and Fashion” and “Science: Life & Death,” these segments delve into the multifaceted roles flowers play in art and society. Collaborations with institutions and designers, such as Marimekko, enrich the narrative, while a presentation of photographic works from “Flora Imaginaria,” curated by Danaé Panchaud and William Ewing, offers a diverse range of perspectives on floral imagery.
Featured artists include a mix of historical and contemporary figures, such as Nobuyoshi Araki, Gillian Ayres, Damien Hirst, and Ai Weiwei, each bringing their unique interpretations to the theme. The exhibition underscores the timeless fascination with floral motifs, highlighting their symbolic, aesthetic, and cultural significance across different periods and disciplines. “FLOWERS – FLORA IN CONTEMPORARY ART & CULTURE” is a comprehensive and engaging exploration of how flora continues to inspire and inform artistic expression today.
The sheer scope of FLOWERS is both its strength and its challenge. With over 500 works spanning disciplines, the exhibition at times feels like an overgrown garden—lush, vibrant, but occasionally overwhelming. Some pieces, like Damien Hirst’s floral-themed prints, feel more like familiar echoes rather than fresh contributions, while others, such as Ai Weiwei’s delicate reinterpretation of nature through political symbolism, leave a lasting impression. Yet, in its excess, the show succeeds in mirroring the omnipresence of flowers in our visual and cultural landscape, reinforcing their role as both aesthetic muses and symbols of deeper human concerns.
