PLANET WAKEHURST
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Wakehurst
In 2023, I was commissioned to create an artwork to cover a vast building wrap at the Royal Botanic Gardens’ Wakehurst Mansion.
This Grade I listed Elizabethan mansion, set in the heart of the gardens, was undergoing an extensive roof restoration—one of the most ambitious renovation projects in its recent history.
With works lasting two years, the wrap was transformed into the largest public art installation in the UK. Spanning more than 1,550m²—equivalent to 25 double-decker buses—and encircling three sides of the mansion, the artwork quickly became a visitor attraction in its own right.
It was both an honour and a joy to create this work for Kew Wakehurst. More than a garden, Kew is an institution of global significance. Its pioneering projects advance our understanding of the natural world and climate change, while also shaping international policy. Wakehurst is also home to the Millennium Seed Bank—safeguarding over a billion seeds—and is, to me, one of the most meaningful and important places in the world.
Lorraine Lecourtois, Wakehurst’s Director, said:
“We have never embarked on a commission of such magnitude at Wakehurst before. Where some may have seen the hoarding as an eyesore, we viewed this site as a unique canvas—an extraordinary opportunity to showcase Catherine’s beautifully striking work in the UK for the first time, while offering visitors a fresh perspective on the incredible diversity of plants we nurture here. We hope this brings a life-affirming experience, instilling optimism about the conservation research we undertake, and underscoring our commitment to preserving Wakehurst’s historic heart for generations to come.
A heartfelt thank you to T-Projects and the wonderful team at Kew Wakehurst—it was a true pleasure to collaborate with you all