After our busy three-week exhibition at the Bow House, I am taking a break and looking forward to seeing Marc Quinn’s monumental sculptures entitled ‘Light into Life’ at Kew Gardens.

Born in London in 1964, Marc Quinn became part of the group of Young British Artists, the ‘YBAs’, along with Damian Hirst and Tracey Emin made famous in the 1980’s. He came to even more prominence to the general public when his sculpture of Alison Lapper was selected for the first new work to be placed on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square in 2004. The powerful marble piece depicts a huge seated and pregnant figure of the disabled artist and brought both fame and controversy to Marc Quinn. But it also made clear the right of every human form to be celebrated in all its glory.

His sculptures displayed at Kew this year were created over a number of years and are of a completely different style. Seventeen of these enormous works in stainless steel and bronze are inspired by Kew’s plants which give a mirrored and colourful effect reflecting the surrounding trees and plants.

Aside from the outdoor pieces, there huge representations of plants such as a five-metre tall bonsai tree in the Temperate House contrasting with the miniature versions around it.

The rest of the show is made up of older works in Kew’s Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art. These include Marc’s screen prints, paintings, drawings and his ‘frozen flower’ sculptures which are small exquisite replicas of various plants, such as orchids.

The show continues until 29th September and there are free guided tours. Also, you can pre-book evening adult art classes based on diverse subjects connected with the exhibition. Enjoy!