Wakehurst celebrates 25 years of Kew's Millenium Seed Bank
Commissioned for this event, each artwork aims to reconnect visitors with the role of seeds in culture, science and conservation.Brighton-based artist Adam Johnson, who created 586 hand-sculpted clay seeds for the exhibit, said: "Every seed that I've made is conserved here at Wakehurst."Mexican-Colombian artist Cristina Ochoa has created a giant replica of the Erythrina americana seed.Visitors are invited to sit inside the sculpture and reflect on the cultural and ecological significance of the seed.Cristina said: "It's been a process of one year and a half from the beginning of the idea… it's based on a seed that I've been working with for a while."
With an estimated 45% of flowering plants at risk of extinction, the Kew scientists have collected seeds from plants across the world, in collaboration with over 275 partners in nearly 100 countries.The exhibition also includes a transformation of the MSB's exterior, by Shiraaz Ali.Kristina Pulejkova has created seed-shaped pollinator hotels spread across the landscape.Works from two other artists are also on display at the Seedscapes exhibition until 14 September.
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