PRESS RELEASE — Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is honored to announce Rebecca Louise Law: The Womb.  Opening on September 20, 2019, this exclusive, site-specific exhibition includes an existing collection of approximately 1,000,000 flowers and plant material, and 10,000 flowers and plants gathered on site and strung by volunteers and staff at Meijer Gardens. Newly created sculpture and painted works will also be on display in spaces preceding the main gallery. This exhibition will run through March 1, 2020.

Rebecca Louise Law’s use of natural materials, mainly floral, encourage guests to experience the relationship between humanity and nature. The natural decay of the plant material makes this exhibit time based and encourages frequent visits to observe the process of drying. A big believer in sustainability, Law frequently reuses dried plant materials that have been displayed in her previous installations.

“I like to capture and treasure small, beautiful natural objects to create an artwork that can be observed without the pressure of time,” said Law. “Preserving, treasuring, celebrating and sharing the beauty of the earth with the world is what drives me.”
 

This installation is an intimate exploration into the relationship between humankind and nature and explores the sensation of being cocooned in nature, and the fantasy of being naturally enveloped. The artworks surrounding the installation look in detail at the womb as a natural cocoon. Though photography is allowed in specific areas, Law encourages guests to put aside their cell phones and cameras and fully engage with the exhibition.

“We have been aware of Rebecca’s work for some time, and are very excited to be working with her,” said Laurene Grunwald, Director of Sculpture, Art Collections, Exhibitions & Installations at Meijer Gardens. “Her concern for the environment and practice of sustainability is a perfect fit for us along with the literal combination of sculpture and horticulture, which directly mirrors our mission.”

Exhibition Programming - Exhibition programs are drop-in and registration is not required.

• Director’s Walk
  Tuesday, October 15, 6 pm
  Fee: Included with Admission
  Laurene Grunwald, Director of Sculpture, Art Collections, Exhibitions & Installations
  Steve LaWarre, Director of Horticulture

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a place where one can experience masterpieces of art and nature to delight your senses at one of the nation’s premier horticultural display gardens and sculpture parks. Join the directors of the Sculpture and Horticulture departments in exploring one of the places where this combination of nature and sculpture is emphasized—the wildflower meadow with Mark di Suvero’s sculpture,Scarlatti, right at the center.

• The Secret Symbolism of Flowers
  Sunday, November 10, 2 pm
  Fee: Included with Admission 
  Dr. Suzanne Eberle, Professor of Art History, Kendall College of Art and Design

Art history is filled with flowers. Flowers often contain a symbolic meaning that is sometimes specific to the period of art, region or artist from which it was created. Join Dr. Eberle as she explores the symbolism of flowers throughout art history.

• The History of Environmental Art
  Sunday, December 8, 2 pm
  Fee: Included with Admission 
  Dr. Billie Wickre, Professor of Art History, Albion College

The Environmental Art movement began in the 1960s and early ‘70s as a way to appreciate nature. Over time, it has become a way for artists to address the endangering of ecosystems. Join Dr. Wickre as she highlights some important works of art in the Environmental Art movement that have been intended to evoke change in the ways in which we understand and interact with our surroundings.

Rebecca Louise Law: The Womb is made possible by:
The Meijer Foundation

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation

Botanic and Sculpture Societies of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts

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