Chihuly: Reflections on Nature, Kew Royal Botanic Gardens - ★★★★★ - Until July 21, 2019


A visit to Kew Gardens is a favourite at any time of the year, but the new installations of Dale Chihuly's glass in this spectacular setting make the experience even more delightful. Sometimes art in a garden can seem like gilding the lily, a distraction or an unnecessary note. This exhibition is quite the opposite. The interplay of the art with nature is wonderfully complementary, illuminating the beauty of both. There are twelve pieces in all and the organic shapes of the glass art and their splendid colours enrich and reinvent the always rewarding experience of a stroll through Kew. For us, the high point had to be the amazing installation in the Temperate House, but don't ignore some of the smaller pieces quite subtly underlining the beauty of a special corner. There is also a lovely display of Chihuly's work at the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art － an exciting retrospective of the work of this pre-eminent glass artist of our era. Be sure to include a visit as part of your tour! Following the map and coming upon the sculptures in their various settings was great fun and added a lovely note of surprise. We can't wait to return as the interaction of the flora with the glass pieces evolves and is re-defined by the changes taking place in the gardens throughout the summer season.

 Reviewed by J.C.

 Our Score:  ☆☆☆☆☆ 

WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Until July 21, 2019
Mon - Thu: 10 am - 7 pm (last entry 6 pm)
Fri - Sun: 10 am - 8 pm (last entry 7 pm)
Opening times vary throughout the year
Kew Gardens
Nearest tube: Kew Gardens
https://www.kew.org
Map & Location: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond TW9 3AB, UK

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