An exhibition celebrating the power of trees to open at Kew Gardens in April
The Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art at Kew Gardens will showcase new botanical works, cinematic installations, and the connections between artists and trees.
Horizontal. © Koen de Waal / Crystal Eye. Courtesy of Marian Goodman Gallery, New York, Paris, London.
Kew Gardens’ Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art will unveil The Power of Trees, an exhibition that celebrates the beauty, resilience, and artistic inspiration of trees. Showcasing newly commissioned botanical artworks alongside an immersive video installation, the exhibition invites visitors to explore the connections between art and the natural world. From intricate scientific illustrations to cinematic storytelling, The Power of Trees highlights how trees have shaped human creativity across cultures and generations.
A key highlight of the exhibition is a groundbreaking collaboration with the Bedgebury Florilegium Society, marking the first time their work has been displayed at Kew. To honour the centenary of the National Pinetum at Bedgebury, 20 artists have meticulously documented a selection of remarkable conifers, creating botanically accurate artworks that serve both as scientific records and stunning tributes to these ancient trees. These delicate paintings capture the seasonal transformations of the trees and continue the centuries-old tradition of florilegium art, preserving botanical heritage for future generations.
Anthropomorphic Exercises On Film: Action / Stumble, 2011. Green pastel on Parisian paper by Eija-Liisa Ahtila © Crystal Eye.
Alongside these botanical masterpieces, Finnish artist Eija-Liisa Ahtila presents Horizontal – Vaakasuora, a striking multi-screen installation that reimagines the cinematic portrayal of trees. Filmed in the boreal forests of Finland, Ahtila’s work challenges traditional human perspectives by depicting a towering 30-metre spruce across six vertical screens. Complementing this installation, the exhibition will also showcase a selection of Ahtila’s preparatory drawings, Anthropomorphic Exercises in Film, which experiment with cinematic techniques to depict non-human subjects in a new light.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore additional displays in Gallery Six and the Marianne North Gallery, which further examine the ecological and cultural significance of trees. Through a collection of artworks, archival materials, and scientific specimens, The Power of Trees offers a reflection on the essential role trees play in our world.
Date: 12 April - 14 September 2025. Location: Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art, Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE. Price: Free with Kew Gardens admission, the exhibition. kew.org.
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