Flowers in Contemporary Art

Following a vibrant and well-attended preview evening, Rheged’s Summer exhibition In Bud & Bloom is now officially open to the public.

Open daily until Sunday 5 October 2025, In Bud & Bloom showcases over 220 works by 43 UK artists (13 from Cumbria) across 21 mediums. International contributions come from as far afield as Florence, Berlin and Lithuania. From intricate paper, ceramic and textile art to bold sculpture and immersive installations, the exhibition explores how artists engage with flowers both visually and symbolically.

At its heart, In Bud & Bloom is a vibrant showcase of contemporary works of national and international significance. Highlights include artists featured at the Saatchi Gallery, RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, alongside botanical pieces on loan from the historic Chelsea Physic Garden.

However, In Bud and Bloom also continues Rheged’s commitment to, and tradition of, celebrating Cumbria. The journey begins with nine of the region’s renowned gardens, Acorn Bank, Blackwell, Brantwood, Dalemain House, Hill Top, Hutton in the Forest, Holehird, Lowther Castle, Muncaster Castle, many holding national collections. Visitors will explore the floral influences of the Arts and Crafts movement in Cumbria, reflected in garden and interior design by Morris & Co and Baillie Scott.

Gallery Curator and Manager Claire Harrison says,

“Our goal was to create a vibrant, immersive experience that celebrates the relationship between art and the natural world - and now that the exhibition is open, it’s amazing to hear all the positive feedback and reactions from visitors. Few subjects inspire artists quite like flowers and gardens, and here in Cumbria, we're surrounded by some truly remarkable ones. In Bud & Bloom brings together 43 incredible artists – 41 of whom are women - each exploring the symbolic, emotional, and cultural meanings of flowers through a diverse range of materials and perspectives.”

The exhibition spans painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, photography, and mixed media, with many works available for purchase. Themes explored include the language of flowers – known as floriography, and the symbolic powers of plants.

A hands-on, paper flower-making activity for children makes this an inspiring experience for all ages.

The preview evening itself brought together exhibiting artists, their friends and families, art enthusiasts, and members of the press to celebrate the launch of this contemporary, immersive exhibition.

Gallery Curator and Manager Claire Harrison welcomed guests with a speech detailing the curatorial journey from the selection of works to the careful hang of the show.

Two of the exhibiting artists also addressed the audience. Jeni Calvert, a local artist from Appleby, offered a powerful reflection on the deeper meanings within her flower-themed paintings. Explaining how despite the work being of flowers, they’re about everything that isn’t flowers. She spoke movingly about her piece Pandora’s Promise, inspired by the devastation of Storm Desmond in 2015.

Kay Minter, who travelled from Hove for the occasion, gave insight into her meticulous photographic practice. She shared how many of the flowers she photographs are grown by her or sourced flowers from leading British and European growers to find the perfect subject. In the studio, she captures each bloom with sculptural precision, carefully crafting each image petal by petal, light by light.

Open daily from 9.30am to 5pm, Friday 18 July to Sunday 5 October. Tickets are £3 (free for under-12s). Visitors can also enjoy pre-booked flower-themed art creative classes led by artists as well as daily floral block printing in the Children’s Making Space. To book visit www.rheged.com