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David Nash portrait. Photo courtesy of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Works by British sculptor David Nash coming to Meijer Gardens

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
David Nash portrait. Photo courtesy of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
David Nash portrait. Photo courtesy of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park will feature the work of British artist David Nash in the large-scale summer exhibition, “David Nash: From Kew Gardens to Meijer Gardens,” which opens to the public May 23.

Organized by the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and the artist in conjunction with Meijer Gardens, this broad and comprehensive presentation will feature sculptures, installations and drawings and will remain on display until Aug. 17.

In 2012, Nash was selected as the first artist-in-residence at the majestic Kew Gardens outside central London. For a year he worked onsite and installed work across the campus of the world’s most distinguished botanical garden. Such efforts are the foundation of “David Nash: From Kew Gardens to Meijer Gardens.” This presentation, exclusive to Meijer Gardens, will host more than 25 works by this British icon in the sculpture galleries, conservatories and across the gardens and grounds. In addition, Nash will be creating and installing several new works at Meijer Gardens.

“In many ways David Nash and the whole of his career which conjoins sculpture and the natural world, is at the very heart of the mission of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park,” said David Hooker, president and CEO of Meijer Gardens.

For Nash, an internationally renowned sculptor, the use of trees has proven central to his internationally acclaimed body of work. Whether through cutting, charring, casting, planting, drawing, or documentation, trees have been the singular resource for nearly all of his artistic pursuits.

“David Nash’s vision and voice is unique and enduring in the realm of Contemporary art,” said Joseph Antenucci Becherer, chief curator and vice president of Meijer Gardens. “From carving to casting to planting, his sculptural repertoire is majestically unlike any other sculptor working today.”

An array of wood sculptures, complemented by drawings, will be on display throughout the galleries, while a carefully selected group of bronzes will be installed in the Arid and Tropical conservatories. Additionally, three major works will be on view outdoors. The massive Iron Dome, composed of 46 elements, will be on display in the Sculpture Park not far from the permanent installation of Nash’s iconic King and Queen.

Meijer Gardens has also commissioned Nash for a unique, site-specific planting involving dozens of young larch trees on the open hillside in the Richard and Helen DeVos Japanese Garden. Although the garden will not open until June 2015, visitors will be able to view Nash’s planting site from the pathways. Additionally, Meijer Gardens commissioned a full documentary video on Nash and his planting which will be available in the auditorium.

This exhibition is organized by Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in cooperation with the artist, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Galerie Scheffel, Bad Homburg, Germany; and Haines Gallery, San Francisco.

ADDITIONAL IMAGES OF NOTE

David Nash portrait. Photo courtesy of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
David Nash portrait. Photo courtesy of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
David Nash, 'Seed,' 2008, bronze. Photo courtesy of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
David Nash, ‘Seed,’ 2008, bronze. Photo courtesy of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
David Nash, 'Crack and Warp,' 2010, lime wood. Photo courtesy of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
David Nash, ‘Crack and Warp,’ 2010, lime wood. Photo courtesy of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.