The world’s most celebrated contemporary glass artist, Seattle-based Dale Chihuly, has chosen the stunning Adelaide Botanic Garden for the first major outdoor exhibition of his work in Australia and the wider southern hemisphere. Chihuly will present a curated selection of large-scale installations and sculptures in this Australian-exclusive exhibition September 27, 2024, to April 29, 2025.
Known for pushing the limits of the glass material and elevating the medium from craft to fine art, Chihuly has received numerous accolades, including 12 honorary doctorates and two fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts. His contributions to the art world have been profound, inspiring generations of artists and shaping the perception of glass as a multifaceted and expressive medium.
Chihuly started placing installations in conservatories and gardens in 2001, beginning what has become known as his “Garden Cycle.” With this new exhibition, Adelaide will become only the third city outside the USA to host a “Garden Cycle” exhibition, following Kew Gardens in London and Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay. Chihuly’s work was last seen in Adelaide in 2000 at JamFactory and two outdoor sites at the Adelaide Botanic Garden.
Opened in 1857, The Adelaide Botanic Garden one of the oldest and most respected botanic gardens in the world.
The garden is home to an extensive collection of plants, including more than 2,500 species from Australia and around the world. The space is divided into several distinct sections, each with its own unique character and charm. The Bicentennial Conservatory is home to a stunning collection of tropical plants, as well as a number of special features, including the magnificently restored 1877-built Palm House, the First Creek Wetland, and the Amazon Waterlily Pavilion.
The Adelaide Botanic Garden is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, as a great place to spend a day exploring the beauty and diversity of plants from around the world. The garden is also home to a number of events throughout the year, including concerts, festivals, and art exhibitions.
Over the exhibition season, entry to the Adelaide Botanic Garden will continue to be free to all visitors throughout the day.
The specially curated collection of Chihuly’s major works will form an art trail through Adelaide Botanic Garden, which is located on the edge of the Adelaide CBD.
Further details of the exhibition, as well as special night events, additional exhibits, tours, and cultural, artistic and educational partnerships, will be announced in coming months.
As put by Zoe Bettison
This is a coup for South Australia and the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium, and the project will act as an important driver of national and international cultural tourism to our state and showcase our Botanic Gardens to new and returning visitors.
South Australians love to watch the seasons pass in the botanical gardens. The exhibition will show through Spring, Summer and Autumn allowing visitors to experience the sculptures against the backdrop of blossom, sunshine and the changing autumn leaves.
The timing of this Australian first exclusive exhibition in our very own Adelaide Botanic Gardens will cross over three school holiday periods as well as several other major events that our city is well known for giving visitors a reason to stay in Adelaide a little longer and immerse themselves in art and nature.
The Adelaide Botanic Garden is an exceptional tourism site. We are so lucky to have an internationally recognised botanic collection and heritage glass house right here in the East End of our city, walking distance from premium shopping and restaurants. This exhibition will invite visitors to explore not just our Gardens but our whole city.
The North Terrace Cultural Boulevard connects this exclusive arts event to the world-famous Jam Factory, a centre of excellence for glass are in its own right.
As put by Dale Chihuly, Artist
I have sought an opportunity to return to Adelaide since 2000 when I first presented work at the Botanic Garden and JamFactory.
Adelaide Botanic Garden offers so many rich colors and textures – the ideal environment for the placement of my work, and I look forward to sharing this new exhibition with the Adelaide and South Australian community.
As put by Michael Harvey, Director Adelaide Botanic Garden
I am thrilled that Adelaide had succeeded in securing Chihuly’s Gardens Cycle exhibition.
It will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience an extensive collection of Chihuly’s monumental works in the beautiful setting of a botanic garden.
Over the seven months we are hosting Chihuly’s masterpieces, we look forward to welcoming, both garden lovers and art enthusiasts, and visitors of all ages who appreciate a visually stunning experience that will guarantee to surprise and delight.
Chihuly’s exquisite and dazzling artworks are often described as celebrations of what is found in nature. As a biodiversity hotspot in South Australia, with more than 1000 plant species from Australia and around the world, Adelaide Botanic Garden is an ideal setting for Dale Chihuly’s work.
As the project develops in partnership with the Chihuly Studio, we will also be working with local organisations to create additional ways for visitors to experience the work. Adelaide Botanic Garden has a history of working with and exhibiting the works of contemporary visual artists inspired by our magnificent gardens and buildings; however, the scale and ambition of this dramatic collection will elevate our art programming to an entirely new level.
We are incredibly grateful for the support of the South Australian Government for recognising the cultural and economic potential of the project and in enabling us to bring this collection to Adelaide.
