Queer Nature
Celebrating diversity in art, plants and fungi.
This October, celebrate the diversity and beauty of plants and fungi with an inspiring new festival, Queer Nature.
Step inside Kew’s iconic Temperate House to discover a large-scale suspended artwork and a horticultural installation which explore the amazing world of plants and fungi, particularly those that challenge traditional expectations. Hear from Kew scientists, horticulturists, writers and many more leading voices on their individual perspectives on queerness and nature. Plus watch out for plenty of weekend and After Hours events.
From the fascinating science behind plants and fungi to the connections between plants and LGBTQ+ communities, enjoy this celebratory programme.
What's on
House of Spirits – Jeffrey Gibson
New York based artist Jeffrey Gibson creates House of Spirits, an installation fusing vibrant colour and pattern.
This large-scale, suspended artwork is intricately crafted to form a collage of printed fabrics, incorporating botanical illustrations alongside language and patterns informed by Gibson’s own perspectives on queerness, and the endless diversity of plants and nature.
Breaking the Binary – Patrick Featherstone with Kew Youth Forum
Garden designer Patrick Featherstone and team are working in collaboration with Kew’s Youth Forum to present Breaking the Binary.
Exploring themes of plant classification and categorisation, see this living installation celebrate the infinite potential of nature.
Queer Voices
Recognising the incredible breadth and range of perspectives on Queer Nature, Kew has invited over a dozen horticulturists, scientists, authors, drag artists and activists to contribute to a film-based installation with set design by British artist and designer Adam Nathaniel Furman.
Adam Nathaniel Furman at Motcombe Street © George Whale 2020
Reverberations
Kew has invited artists Ama Josephine Budge Johnstone and LiLi K. Bright to respond to the theme of Queer Nature through two spoken word pieces. Ama and LiLi share their personal perspectives and celebrations of the diversity, beauty and queerness within the natural world.
