Reflections On Nature – Dale Chihuly at Kew Gardens

I first saw Dale Chihuly’s work at Kew Gardens back in 2005 and it inspired me to go a glassblowing course (with some very modest results!). The current installations include some new pieces and some old favourites, all integrated into the Kew landscape and glass houses. The Temperate House and its environs are particularly stunning, where vibrant pops of colour contrast with the naturalistic surroundings. There is an amazing array of textures and shapes; frilly, ribbed, twisted, folded, and spiky. The fluidity of the forms really demonstrates the unique properties of glass, seeming simultaneously both molten and frozen. How this can translate into pattern design is yet to be seen but there is certainly a lot to be inspired by – watch this space.

Until next time my creative crew,

Joanna