See how the British artist’s inspiration comes into full bloom

By Sarah Emily Gilbert

There’s nothing more eye-catching than a vibrant bouquet of flowers – except, of course, when there’s over 16,000 flowers of 14 different species hanging from the ceiling of an entire room. Just ask British artist Rebecca Louise Law, the woman behind the breathtaking “Flowers Outside: In Encased” exhibit that was featured in the lobby of the Viacom headquarters in NYC this past January.

It was the inaugural installation of the Art At Viacom series that features rotating exhibits from diverse artists. What makes Law one of those diverse artists? The medium she uses to create her work: flowers. While Law was lucky enough to grow up in a family full of artists, combining art and flowers was something she discovered on her own. She explains that flowers started to play a part in her teens when she used them as a source of inspiration while studying color in printmaking and painting. However, it wasn’t until she went to college that she started using them as her artistic material. On Law’s website, she states that she learned to replace “paint with flowers,” a statement she expanded upon in our interview:

“I felt frustrated with working in 2D, and at the time, I was studying wonderful Colour Field painters such as Rothko. I wanted my work to be larger than a canvas with a much more physical and sensual presence. I experimented in all kinds of colourful materials within sculptures and installations. Nothing seemed to work as well as paint, and then I remembered my parents drying colourful flowers in the attic as a child. In 2003 I made my first installation.”

Her first installation certainly wasn’t her last. Law’s signature flower creations have been featured in museums, galleries, and prominent buildings and outdoor venues around the world. But despite her years of work with flowers, Law admits that’s it’s a continual experiment using an ephemeral material as her sculptural material.

“Since 2003 I have used as many varieties of flora as possible and I am still learning new techniques. The environment and humidity can effect each variety of flower differently, sometimes completely changing what I intended for my installation. You learn to be flexible whilst working with nature; you can never have full control.”

Law won’t use just any old flower when creating her stunning exhibits. Most of her blossoms are imported from Holland or grown in England. However, her favorite flower, the rose, is one that has stolen the hearts of people internationally. Its muted tones and reliable material make is a staple in many of Law’s masterpieces. No matter what species of flora she uses, the result is an overwhelmingly colorful and imaginative design that looks as if it came straight out of a fairytale.

Be on the lookout for Law’s newest project, a collaborative sculpture at 100 Columbia Road in London with fellow artist and taxidermist, Rose Robson from August 10-12.

Photo Credit: Seamus Ryan

Photo Credit: Bei Weng

Photo Credit: Tom Hartford