The Garden Museum's alternative festive celebration Winter Flowers Week is returning this December for a celebration of seasonal flowers and foliage through festive installations. The week will also include a Friday Late and floristry workshops hosted by some of the exhibiting designers.
Building on the Garden Museum's annual summer exhibition British Flowers Week, this winter edition aims to champion a seasonal and sustainable approach to festive decoration. "Five floral designers will transform the museum into a winter wonderland like no other: with sustainability at the heart, their floral installations will be created using only British-grown seasonal flowers and foliage, and environmentally-friendly materials and methods."
The installations will be designed specifically for the historic space and will interact with the Garden Museum's Grade II* listed building, parts of which date back to the 14th century. According to the Garden Museum, tisitors can find inspiration for their own festive decorations for the upcoming season in these artistic designs created by some of the country's top floristry talent.
Frida Kim
"Rooted in Frida Kim's earliest years spent amidst the Korean countryside, her ethereal floral arrangements reflect a profound reverence for nature. Whether crafting a sculptural installation or a petite arrangement, Frida approaches each task with a singular intention—to create art that resonates with people and weaves a narrative.
Infusing the essence of Ikebana into her craft, Frida's creations emerge with a subtle refinement, veiling within them intricate layers of poetic complexity. Central to her creations is a commitment to seasonality and sustainability, merging Eastern and Western sensibilities to convey a compelling visual message through delicate combinations of fresh and dried materials."
Harriet Parry
"Combining her love of flowers and nature, with her background in Fine Art, Harriet Parry produces playful pieces conceived as works of art. Referencing both contemporary and historical art, fashion, and film, she seamlessly unites these with the world of floral design. This approach is particularly evident in her series 'Flower Interpretations'.
Her floral commissions range from editorial and commercial styling, site-specific installations, film, TV, events, weddings, and exhibitions, as well as photography, fine art prints, and editions. Where she designs, creates, and consults for private clients, companies, and brands, or in collaboration with other artists."
JamJar Flowers
JamJar Flowers is a floral design studio based in South London. According to the Garden Museum, they specialize in large-scale installations, luxury events, and weddings and are renowned for their imaginative and artistic approach. They tell stories and transform spaces with flowers. From high-end luxury events and installations to intimate parties, JamJar Flowers uses British-grown flowers and foliage wherever possible, with seasonality and sustainable practices at the heart of their work.
JamJar was founded in 2009 by Melissa Richardson at her kitchen table. "Since these uncomplicated beginnings, they have grown to become one of the UK's leading florists."
Sophie Powell
"Floral designer Sophie Powell grew up with a love for flowers thanks to her grandmother, who was an avid gardener and competition florist. With a creative career in mind, Sophie soon realized that floral design was her passion and balanced her full-time job with weekend work at a flower shop. Following roles with some of London's leading florists, it would be an opportunity at legendary McQueens Flowers where Sophie's talent and dedication would come to the fore.
With over a decade in the industry and five years at the helm of the flower school, Sophie unveiled her much-anticipated studio, U.FL.O. (Unidentified Floral Object) in 2023. Whether she's crafting an ambitious installation or traveling the world as a guest tutor, Sophie's expertise and art-centric approach have solidified her status."
Wagner Kreusch
"Born in Brazil and best known for his long career dedicated to teaching floristry, Wagner Kreusch's graphic and sculptural floral design work is highly inspired by contemporary Ikebana. The son of a florist and having spent his youth in the countryside, Kreusch had the unique chance to experience untouched natural environments that are now in constant threat in his native country.
Having co-founded the London Flower School in 2017 Kreusch's focus as Creative Director was to bring awareness to floristry as an art form and to use his voice as a teacher to serve the industry that he is so passionate about. Kreusch studied at the renowned Sogetsu School of Ikebana under the supervision of the late Ikebana master and former director of Sogetsu London, Mr Shigeo Suga. Kreusch is a certified Sogetsu teacher who simultaneously practices and teaches the art form today."
For more information:
The Garden Museum
gardenmuseum.org.uk