Marc Quinn’s Botanical Sculptures Explore Nature’s Boundaries.
At the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew in London, Marc Quinn’s exhibition “Light into Life” showcases his larger-than-life botanical sculptures. These works continue Quinn’s exploration of the boundaries between natural and artificial, living and non-living, sexuality, and the passage of time.
Quinn often employs mirrored effects in his pieces, literally reflecting humanity in nature and blurring the lines between the artwork and its environment. In some sculptures, he highlights the weight, history, and scale achievable with bronze. Notable examples include “Held by Desire (The Dimensions of Freedom)” and “Burning Desire,” which metaphorically link flowers to human biology and anatomy. These titles evoke emotional parallels, such as the precise tension in a bonsai or the supple petals of a sensual red orchid.
Quinn’s sculptures often feature orchids, bonsai, and tropical flowers. These pieces emphasize permanence in a realm that typically depends on change—seasons, weather, and pollinators. By casting flowers in metal, Quinn confronts the fleeting nature of blossoms and leaves, preserving their peak beauty. He also immerses entire bouquets in silicone oil, sustaining their vibrancy indefinitely.