Tower of London poppy creator comes to Chelsea
The artist responsible for the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red installation exhibited an eight metre-tall tulip sculpture
The Great Pavilion at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show was home to an eight metre-tall sculpture, covered with thousands of hand-painted ceramic tulips, created by the artist responsible for last year’s iconic Tower of London poppy installation.
The sculpture by Paul Cummins, inspired by the 2015 Chelsea creative, sat among the beautiful floral displays by the world’s leading nurseries and growers.
Paul said: “Following the success of Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, I was delighted to be invited by the RHS to show a new piece of art. The new sculpture was inspired by tulips as well as the Dutch tulipomania of the 17th century, which saw single tulip bulbs exchanged for the price of houses.
“The sculpture comments on the marketplace, how we buy and sell commodities; how all objects acquire value and are traded, including flowers.”
RHS Head of Shows, Nick Mattingley, said: “The Great Pavilion was, as always, filled with spectacular floral displays, and the marvellous tower of tulips was yet another very special feature that delighted visitors.”
Paul’s 2014 installation, which consisted of 888,246 ceramic poppies filling the moat of the Tower of London, hit headlines across the world. The poignant installation marked 100 years since the first day of Britain’s involvement in the First World War.
