New works created using Kew trees will be revealed, as David Nash sculpture exhibition enters autumn phase

David Nash at Kew: A Natural Gallery is supported by Xstrata. The next phase of the exhibition runs from Saturday 13 October 2012 to Sunday 14 April 2013.

New works by sculptor David Nash, created on site at Kew Gardens, using mostly Kew trees, will officially be revealed on 13 October, as his major exhibition enters its next phase.

David Nash, one of the UK’s most renowned sculptors, has been working on a ‘wood quarry’ in Kew’s arboretum since April 2012. Using trees that have come to the end of their natural life at Kew (through storms, lightning or disease for example), he has created a series of new sculptures which will be installed in the gallery spaces across the Gardens. The new sculptures, along with a number of drawings and short films, will form an exciting new chapter, in what has already been a very well received exhibition.

David Nash and Kew make a perfect partnership; they both aim to inspire visitors to understand their place in the natural world. Nash’s philosophy places particular emphasis on the fundamental role that nature plays in humanity’s existence. He sees the environment as our ‘outer skin’; we are not separate from it or its master – everything that we do impacts upon it. His work results in sculptures in which form and material have a deep mutual sympathy, and retain some of the essence of their original form.

Many of the new works have been inspired by David Nash’s residency at Kew, where he has had the opportunity to learn more about Kew’s scientific research into plants, and has been able to gain a deeper understanding of the properties of trees. Nash says, “I have had the opportunity to see a side of Kew that visitors don’t. I have a lot of questions about trees, but I haven’t had access to the specialist expertise that an institution like Kew offers before. For the first time, I’ve been able to look down a microscope and see the intimate structure of wood in Kew’s Wood Anatomy Laboratory; this has really helped me to see new possibilities for form. I’m a responsive artist, I always let the individual characteristics of the tree guide me, as I try to bring out the essence of these natural forms.”

With access to Kew’s Economic Botany Collection, which holds 83,000 objects, Nash is discovering hidden treasures which illustrate the extent of man’s reliance on plant material. The huge variety of objects within the collection range from artefacts made from plants, to raw plant materials, including a large collection of wood samples. Items such as a wooden aboriginal ‘passport’ and a cork bowler hat have ignited Nash’s imagination.

Nash has also visited Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank in Wakehurst, Sussex, to experience the research into seed dispersal. Kew's Millennium Seed Bank is home to millions of seeds, collected from wild plant species around the world and stored in frozen vaults, to safeguard those most at risk for future generations.

The installation of the new works represents a change of pace for the exhibition, as the focus moves indoors to Kew’s unique gallery spaces, which offer a more intimate viewing experience.

The Nash Conservatory

From October, a number of entirely new works will be installed in the Nash Conservatory, complementing the architecture and scale of this historic and beautiful building. As they enter, visitors will be met by a towering cork oak spire. The new works will also include those created on-site in the Wood Quarry using Kew trees – for example a sculpture which represents two giant spoons stacked together, alluding to man’s dependence on natural materials for our day to day existence, which is a recurring theme in Nash’s work. In addition, a series of crack and warp columns will be a key feature in this space. The Crack and Warp series is a wonderful example of the collaboration with nature that characterises Nash’s work. He selects the wood and makes the cuts, the air then takes over and dries the wood, producing astonishing movement in accordance with the characteristics of the particular wood species used.

The Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art

A number of new smaller sculptures and drawings have been created for display in this contemporary gallery. This series of smaller explorations are a response to Nash’s growing knowledge of Kew and its scientific work, which adds a new dimension to the existing works on show. These new works will be displayed on specially designed tables and shelves, creating a more focused and lively feel to the exhibition space.

Temperate House

Not only has David Nash offered new life for Kew’s aging trees, so too has Kew offered Nash an exciting new environment in which to exhibit his existing works, as they are installed in the unique and awe-inspiring surroundings of Kew’s oldest surviving Victorian glasshouse. The Temperate House is host to some of Nash’s most iconic works. These pieces, placed amid the foliage, enable a narrative to unfold between the living plants and wood-derived sculptures.

Outdoor sculptures

The Gardens are stunning to visit at any time of year, but there is even more reason to visit Kew this autumn. Not only can you see Nash’s exciting new works, which go on display in Kew’s indoor gallery spaces, but it is also a great time to re-visit Nash’s stunning outdoor sculptures which have taken root across the Gardens. From spring through to summer, the sculptures have responded to the changing cycle of the seasons, evolving and adapting to their environment – come and see how they are now transformed amid rustic and dramatic autumn colour.

Wood Quarry

At the end of September the Wood Quarry will come to a close, as the works created there will be installed in the galleries across the Gardens. Throughout this period, visitors have been able to see the new works taking shape in this outdoor studio, offering a unique insight into David Nash’s creative process, and the evolving nature of the exhibition. Nash has been steadily working on an English oak column which has been sculpted in situ, and which will remain standing on Cedar Vista. Nearby, the giant limbs of this tree stand upturned, lively and animated in the landscape. The trunk of this enormous oak will slowly begin to turn silver as we head into winter, reflecting the changing seasons in this year-long exhibition.

David Nash says, “It has been wonderful to work and exhibit on the site where many of the trees I have used started their life. To work on the Wood Quarry with Kew’s team of aborists, who share my passion for trees, has been invigorating, their knowledge and understanding has been invaluable to me.

“I’ve always wanted to do a show that would change through the seasons. It the first time that people have been able to see me at work, and to see my sculptures evolve, which was part of the attraction of collaborating with Kew. I hope visitors will take away with them an understanding of what I mean by a “wood quarry”; it implies the sheer physical effort of mining the sculpture out from the tree, which is akin to mining metal from the earth.”

Tony Kirkham, Head of Kew’s Arboretum says, “It has been a real privilege to work with an artist who first and foremost speaks the language of wood, something that I and my team of arborists can easily relate to. An arboretum is like a family, and it is sad to see a tree that you have nurtured over the years succumb to pests or disease, but David gives our trees a second life. His sculptures will make you reassess your environment; he makes us look at trees with new eyes, which is exactly what Kew aims to do.”

Autumn landscape at Kew Gardens

Close to the Wood Quarry, one of Kew’s most popular attractions – the 18 metre high Xstrata Treetop Walkway – presents stunning views across the Gardens and the city’s skyline. These vistas reveal the tranquil Gardens from an entirely unique perspective, and provide excellent views of Kew’s autumn colour, as well as David Nash’s sculptures. Walk a 200 metre circuit up high in the Arboretum’s canopy and observe the autumnal transformation of sweet chestnuts, limes and deciduous oaks, planted in the 18th century. Keen wildlife watchers can spot tawny owls and woodpeckers flitting through the branches, and squirrels foraging for winter supplies. Visitors can explore the structure of trees from root to tip, learning about their fascinating root system in the Rhizotron below ground, before travelling up to the top of the tree’s canopy to explore biodiversity from above.

Additional information

Accompanying book
Kew has published a book to mark this major exhibition – David Nash at Kew Gardens. Extensively illustrated, the book gives a unique insight into Nash’s art and life, and encourages readers to engage with the sculptures and their relation to nature. Images from the book are available from our online gallery upon request.

  • Author: Michelle Payne
  • Publication date: June 2012
  • Price: £15.00 (special offer at Kew £10.00)

A special book signing by David Nash will take place on Sat 13 October, 2.00-4.00pm in the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art.

iPad owners can download a digital edition of the book – which has exclusive interactive features, including an exploration of Nash’s Family Tree drawings accompanied by interviews with the artist.

App

There is also a smartphone app guide to the exhibition, which includes a map of the sculptures at Kew, as well as more information about many of the works on display. It is now available for iPhone and Android from app stores.

Retail products

A collection of products inspired by the exhibition are available to buy from the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art, Victoria Plaza, and from our online shop http://shop.kew.org/david-nash.html. These include a range of limited edition stencils designed by Nash, and a collection of products inspired by David Nash's work and ethos featuring exclusive homeware, fascinating book titles and exhibition souvenirs.

Adult education
Four talks are planned between October 2012 and March 2013. These include two sessions with Kew experts – Mark Nesbitt from the Economic Botany Collection and Peter Gasson from the Wood Anatomy Laboratory. There will also be two sessions, ‘David Nash in Conversation with...’, where Nash will be joined by guest speakers. For details of Adult Education ‘Talks & Courses’ please see http://www.kew.org/learn/talks-courses/

Tours

Booked tour: Tree Identification
Is it an oak, an ash, a lime or something exotic? Learn easy ways to identify trees, including the trees used by David Nash for his sculptures.

-Price: £5 per person

-Dates & Time: 1-30 Oct, Wed and Sat, 1pm

-Location: Information Desk, Victoria Gate.

-Advance booking recommended for this very popular tour – phone 020 8332 5604 or email tours@kew.org. 

Free Daily Walking Tours

  • David Nash at Kew: A Natural Gallery - See a selection of David Nash’s sculptures set amongst the changing seasons at Kew and find out more about this unique collaboration between the artist and Kew Gardens.

Dates: Daily until 14 April 2013
Times:

- 12noon and 1.30pm until 30 Nov 2012

- 12noon only from 1 Dec to 28 Feb 2013

- 11.30am and 2pm from 1 March to 14 April 2013

  • Winter at Kew Gardens - an invigorating walk taking in Kew’s beautiful evergreens and conifers and selected sculptures from the David Nash exhibition.

Dates and times: Daily from 1 Dec - 6 Jan, 1.30pm

  • Guide’s choice- Join this mystery tour of Kew as the Guides take you to see their favourite Kew sights and plants and their favourite David Nash sculptures.

Dates & Times: Daily from 7 Jan - 28 Feb 2013, 1.30pm

Duration of tours approximately 1 hour.

Please register with the guide 15 minutes before tour departs.

Tours start and finish at the Guides' Desk, Victoria Plaza, Victoria Gate

Tours usually take a maximum of 15 people. Due to limited space, groups of 6 or more must pre-book a bespoke tour for which a charge is made. Please call 0208 332 5604 to make a booking 

Free Hands on sessions: Charring, Charcoal and Seeds

  • Drop in and discover how fire is used by both David Nash and by plants.

Date & Time: 13 Oct- 28 Nov, Wed & Sun, 11.30am- 1.30pm
Location: Secluded Garden Glasshouse

Notes to Editors:

  • Born in 1945, David Nash studied at Kingston College of Art, Brighton College of Art, and Chelsea School of Art.
  • David Nash's first solo exhibition was in York in 1973. An artist of international renown, his work is held in private collections and public galleries all over the world including the Guggenheim, Tate and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. At the age of 21, Nash established a base in Blaenau Ffestiniog, North Wales, and lives and works at Capel Rhiw, a former chapel built in 1863.

David Nash is represented by:

  • Annely Juda Fine Art: • Established in 1960 • Specialises in British and International Contemporary, Russian Constructivism and masters of 20th century avant garde. • Represents artists including Anthony Caro, Christo, David Hockney, Leon Kossoff, David Nash and the Estate of Naum Gabo • Forthcoming exhibition: ‘David Nash: Lines and Smudges’ 6 Sep – 6 Oct 2012
  • Galerie Scheffel GmbH: • Established in 1979 • Specializes in international contemporary art • Founder and curator of the Blickachsen international open air sculpture biennial (www.blickachsen.com) • Represents artists including Magdalena Abakanowicz, Laura Ford, David Nash, Jaume Plensa, Sui Jianguo, and Bernar Venet
  • Galerie Lelong: • Established in 1981 • Operates galleries in Paris, New York and Zürich • Specialises in International contemporary art• Represents artists including Jannis Kounellis, David Nash, Jaume Plensa, Sean Scully, Kiki Smith and the estates of Barry Flanagan, Joan Miró

For more information please contact the RBG Kew Press Office on 020 8332 5607 or email pr@kew.org


Visitor information:

  • Admission: From August 1 2012: Adults £14.50, concessions £12.50, free for children under 17 (with an adult)
  • For more information: www.kew.org, 020 8332 5655, or email info@kew.org
      

Opening hours:

 

Dates GATES CLOSE (Last entry 1/2 hour before) Glasshouses & Galleries Climbers & Creepers Treetop Walkway (Last entry 1/4 hour before) Guided tours
Wed 1 Aug to Mon 27 August 6:30pm
Sat, Sun & Bank Holidays 7:30pm
 		 5:30pm 10:30 - 5:30pm 5:30pm
Sat, Sun & Bank Holidays 6:30pm
 		 11am & 1:30pm
 
Tue 28 Aug to Sat 27 Oct 2012 6pm 5:30pm 10:30am - 5:30pm 5:30pm 11am & 1:30pm
 
Sun 28 Oct 2012 to Fri 1 Feb 2013 4:15pm 3:45pm 10:30am - 3:45pm 3:45pm 11am & 1:30pm

 (Last entry to the Gardens, the Glasshouses, Galleries and the Xstrata Treetop Walkway is 30 minutes before closing)

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a world famous scientific organisation, internationally respected for its outstanding living collection of plants and world-class Herbarium as well as its scientific expertise in plant diversity, conservation and sustainable development in the UK and around the world. Kew Gardens is a major international visitor attraction. Its landscaped 132 hectares and RBG Kew’s country estate, Wakehurst Place, attract nearly 2 million visitors every year. Kew was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2003 and celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2009. Wakehurst Place is home to Kew's Millennium Seed Bank, the largest wild plant seed bank in the world. RBG Kew and its partners have collected and conserved seed from 10 per cent of the world's wild flowering plant species (c.30, 000 species). The aim is to conserve 25% by 2020, and its enormous potential for future conservation can only be fulfilled with the support of the public and other funders.

Kew receives funding from the UK Government through Defra for approximately half of its income and is also reliant on support from other sources. Without the voluntary monies raised through membership, donations and grants, Kew would have to significantly scale back activities at a time when, as environmental challenges become ever more acute, its resources and expertise are needed in the world more than ever. Kew needs to raise significant funds both in the UK and overseas. Members of the public can support the work of the Millennium Seed Bank Partnership by getting involved with the ‘Adopt a Seed, Save a Species' campaign. For £25 an individual can adopt a seed or for £1000 anyone can save an entire species. www.kew.org/adoptaseed
 

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