David Nash at Kew

Kew Gardens are currently hosting an exhibition from David Nash, an artist who is well known for creating works with trees (both living and as timber). I have always quite enjoyed this style of art, where organic forms meet sculpture so have been waiting for a suitable time to visit. 

With the garden and pond taking up a lot of our time this year we have not been to Kew Gardens as often as  we have done in prior years. So although this exhibition has been on since July today was this first chance we got. This was something of a quick visit to Kew so we didn't look at all the sculptures in the garden but here are a selection of what we did see (mostly in the Temperate house and in the grounds).

We have spent many hours over the years in the Temperate house, and normally the plants take center stage, but today the plants were very much part of the backdrop.

Crag and Cave 2007, Yew

These two pieces resemble large driftwood statues, something similar would add an interesting contrast to a garden even on a domestic scale. Perhaps a large piece of dead wood or drift wood standing on end would give a similar focal point at home.

Seed, 2007 Bronze

Plateau, 2011 Bronze

I'm less keen on this type of sculpture, for me Plateau doesn't really add anything to the plants, perhaps in a different setting I may have been more enamored by it.

Furrowed Oak, 1994, Oak

Throne, 1994, Beech

Mizunara Bowl, 1994 Oak

Overlap, 1994 Elm

Overlap was probably my personal favourite, I could imagine this fitting into our garden, although sadly i suspect it may be a little out of our price bracket!

Red Frame, 2008 Sequoia 

The Red Frame is another I really like and again I could see this in our own garden. I may play with the concept of creating viewing gaps in a solid wood wall, possibly as part of the divide between the pond area and the working area beyond.

Red and Black Dome, 2006 Yew

Pyramid, 2010 Bronze

Two Sliced Cedars, 2010 Cedar (and Mark 2012)

These two I really love (perhaps that should have read these three!). the black charred wood against the autumn leaves gives a nice contrast. They make me think of a forest after a fire has gone through, perhaps an Australian Eucalptus forest, when you see the jagged trunks jutting up into the air.

Cork Dome, 2012, Cork Oak

I wanted to play with the Cork Dome, to rearrange the pieces and make new shapes. Fortunately I resisted the temptation.

I guess they are worried the art work would be damaged, but it looks like they should have
asked people not to climb on the sign too!

Nash described the Temperate House as a curious place, and I have to agree it always has been, the exhibits currently in place may not be to everyone's taste but they are curious and I do generally enjoy them.

So what do you think, any that you like?

Gaz

David Nash at Kew