Royal Botanic Gardens Kew / Rooted / Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
Produced for Kew, Wakehurst in the heart of Sussex for their 2023 summer exhibition ‘Rooted’ which showcases installations and sculptures from renowned artists celebrating trees and the role they play in human existence.
Striking scorched monoliths, formed from trees felled as a result of Ash dieback, were produced by Standard8 utilising the ancient Japanese technique of Yakisugi, where the wood is burnt to bring out the natural patterns and oils of the wood. This forms a protective coating on the wood which acts as weather proofing and a deterrent for burrowing insects.
The blackened panels were then routed out with text and illustrations and several layers of Danish oil applied. The panels provide a natural and aesthetically beautiful solution to the interpretation requirements.