Visit to Flowers at Saatchi Gallery
I have been to visit at the Saatchi Gallery to see Flowers – Flora in Art and Culture exhibition. The Saatchi Gallery is in Chelsea in London. The exhibition shows flowers in various art forms. Some traditional, some very 21st century, but all using flowers as the inspiration and core theme.
The exhibition fills two floors that are wheelchair accessible, with lifts and wide doorways. Although there were hundreds of pieces on display, I’ve picked out a few of my favourites. Some of the pieces of art are available for sale via the individual artists.
Dried flowers
I had been particularly drawn to this exhibition by a large installation by Rebecca Louise Law called La Fleur Morte (2025). It filled the double height room with dried flowers hanging on fine copper wires.
The scent as you walked around the installation was wonderful. Additionally, as I took photos of my friends, Niall McCauley of Niall Gardens and Amy Chapman of In the Cottage Garden, I noticed the intriguing shadows cast onto the walls.
I liked the depth conveyed by the multitude of layers of shadows.
Backlit flowers
I also liked a piece by Amy Shelton called Herald of Spring (2021). She had pressed wildflowers and mounted them in a box so that they were backlit. The result was, therefore, a striking piece that allowed the viewer to see the intricate details of the flowers’ structures.
Paint and photography
Magnolia by Irene Kung, (2013) was my favourite photograph in the exhibition. I found it very peaceful and still. Find more of Irene’s wonderfully atmospheric photography on her website, together with this image from a collection called The Forest of the Soul.
The Dream of Love by Janet Pulcho (2024) is a large watercolour painting. It measures 126cm x 189сm (49.5 x 74.5 inches). Janet is a Ukranian artist, although she now lives in Italy.
This oil painting has lots of movement in it and the hovering bee draws the eyes towards the centre of the flower. Fragile Beauty (2024) was painted by Anastasia Michaillova.
Some pieces were hard to capture the scale of. This oil painting by Philip Colbert is Flower Study from the Lobsterland Museum (Neon-orange, Neon Lila, Neon-Magenta) (2022). The information next to the painting explains that the artist is paying homage to Andy Warhol, whose flower works were taken from a magazine advert, and develops the subject further.
I’m no art critic, however I know that I found it striking and interesting.
Street artist, Sophie Mess, painted this brightly coloured mural was on the wall by the stairs to enter the exhibition. What an impactful piece of art!
Textiles
I snapped a couple of photos of designs by Morris and Co. and there were pieces on display by other well-known artists and designers. Including clothing from Liberty of London from 1960s and 1970s. I was delighted to see a mini-skirt suit in a Liberty design fabric that I had as a pair of curtains many years ago.
3D designs
This installation was fascinating. 3D printed shapes and cogs created the look of flowers and as the parts moved they looked like the flowers were opening or closing.
The Machinery of Enchantment by William Darrell (2025) was clever and thought-provoking. I felt a little mesmerised watching these pieces move.
Jewellery
There’s a display of brooches and earrings from Buccellati. Each piece was created with a combination of gold and precious stones to depict a flower. They were intricate and beautiful.
I also liked this display panel with bright red faux flowers and pressed metal flower shapes.
More information
I happily recommend a visit to Flowers at The Saatchi Gallery. It can be found in Chelsea, London and the Flowers – Flora in Contemporary Art and Culture exhibition runs 12th February to 5th May 2025.
The gallery is easy to find, I spotted it when I visited Chelsea in Bloom last year. So when I saw this exhibition advertised, I knew exactly where I would be going!
- Visit to Flowers at Saatchi Gallery - February 20, 2025
- Seed Heads for Winter Interest - February 14, 2025
- Giveaway Veg Seed Starter Kit with Suttons - February 12, 2025