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 Australia-exclusive exhibition running from 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 the JamFactory and two outdoor sites at the Adelaide Botanic Garden.
Chihuly said he was excited to be coming back to Adelaide.
“I have sought an opportunity to return to Adelaide since 2000 when I first presented work at the Botanic Garden and JamFactory,” he said.
“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.”
Adelaide Botanic Garden director Michael Harvey said the exhibition was a coup for Adelaide.
“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,” Mr Harvey said.
“Over the seven months we are hosting Chihuly’s masterpieces, we look forward to welcoming garden lovers, 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.”
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.
