flora

An exploration of the significance of flowers in contemporary art through exhibition, commissions, residencies, publication and discussion taking place at Oriel Davies and beyond.

From common weeds to exotic cultivars, flowers have been deeply embedded in our lives throughout history, and not least as a powerful inspiration to artists. With the flower at its core, this exhibition celebrates new and existing work by nine major UK and international artists. Together these artists offer diverse interpretations of flowers as powerful commentators on cultural, historical, geographic, social and scientific ideas today.

New commissions, residencies, and major works on loan offer a breadth of interpretation of this subject. From exquisite sculptural representations, echoing the precariousness of life, to highly complex drawings predicting the influence of technology on nature; ideas span the contemporary ‘still life’ to how living flowers and green spaces might act as sites for social change.

Exhibiting work from Wales, the UK and abroad by;

Emma Bennett

Michael Boffey

Anya Gallaccio

Ori Gersht

Owen Griffiths

Anne-Mie Melis

Jacques Nimki

Yoshihiro Suda

Clare Twomey

flora presents a visual feast both inside and outside the gallery space. Meticulously crafted sculptures suspend a moment in a flower’s life cycle while simultaneously emphasising its transience and fragility. Intricate and curious drawings consider the complex relationship between humankind and the land, exploring the influence of our technological advances on nature. Sumptuous paintings and photographs reflect both peace and destruction, desire and the unattainable. Outdoor collaborative work explores how civic, green spaces might be changed to become sites for discussion, radical thought and social change.

Two flora artist residencies:

CALL FOR ARTISTS: National Botanic Garden of Wales, Carmarthenshire

October 2015 – February 2016

Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbrân (Call for artists opens August 2015)

January – March 2016

flora special commissions:

Owen Griffiths (throughout tour)

Jacques Nimki (throughout tour, inside and outside tour venues)

Clare Twomey (throughout tour)

Anne-Mie Melis (new commission at Oriel Myrddin, Carmarthen in 2016. Dates to follow)

flora exhibition and education tour across Wales:

Oriel Myrddin, Carmarthen 19 September – 31 October 2015

Oriel Plas Glyn y Weddw, Pwllheli 20 March – 15 May 2016

Aberystwyth Arts Centre 20 July – 17 September 2016

A full-colour publication will mark all the different elements as the project progresses and compiled as a limited edition.

Accompanying events programme at ODG

For current details and news see flora.orieldavies.org

flora is a National Touring Exhibition curated by Oriel Davies and supported by Arts Council of Wales. The flora Outreach on Tour schools programme is supported by the Ernest Cook Trust.