Visitors from all over the world have helped create a new temporary art installation in Kensington Palace gardens to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. The installation of ten golden dandelion heads, to be completed by the 31 August anniversary, echoes the thousands of flowers that mourners left in front of the palace gates ten years ago.
The golden dandelions are 3.5 metres (11 feet) tall, with a long stem topped with a one metre diameter sphere of 630 small flower heads. Each of the heads has been individually gold-leafed by members of the public visiting the gardens. One completed dandelion has been erected in the gardens each week since 1 July, and the final, tenth sculpture will go up on 31 August, the date of the 10th anniversary.
The sculptures were designed by the artist Sofie Layton, and made by Arcangel Metalwork. They have been inspired by dandelion seed clocks which are associated with the passing of time, and which are often said to act as a reminder of loved ones who are missed and who might be far away.
Inside Kensington Palace is the recently opened exhibition Diana: a Princess remembered, an audiovisual exhibition marking Diana’s life as princess, mother, fashion icon and humanitarian. A moving look back over the Princess’s life and her achievements, it features over two hundred photographs, alongside memorable film footage, of one of the world’s most famous and admired women.
Sofie Layton
Sofie Layton has worked on various projects at the palaces including Within the Wardrobe, an exhibition of artworks influenced by the theme of clothing and identity produced by six community group local to Kensington Palace (April 2007), the creation of an eight metre long sculptural dragon as part of an education project at the new Clore Learning Centre at Hampton Court Palace (March 2007) and the Temple of Imagination based within the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and in association with Kew Palace (April 2006). Sofie works as an artist, designer and artistic director on a wide range of projects that explore the interface between art and the wider community. For further information, please visit www.sofielayton.co.uk
Arcangel
Arcangel is a partnership of metal artist Davey Boyall and Paul Currell. Established for more than a decade they have an extensive portfolio of projects including the Queen Mother memorial created for her birthplace, and many sculptural pieces for the Royal Historical Palaces. Arcangel work predominantly in metal, though often combining additional materials to create beautiful, timeless pieces of sculpture and architectural designs for the home and garden. The creation of the Field of Flowers has resulted in such positive feedback that Arcangel are currently developing a range of contemporary garden sculptures inspired by natural forms. For further information, please contact Paul Currell on 01438 871100 or at www.angels@arcangelmetelwork.co.uk
To mark the 10th anniversary of the Princess’s death, Diana: Fashion & Style by Kensington Palace, written by Curators Beatrice Behlen and Joanna Marschner (with foreword by Suzy Menkes) and published by Pitkin in association with Historic Royal Palaces, celebrates the development of Diana, Princess of Wales’s style with beautiful illustrations and an authoritative text. For more information or a press copy, please contact Yvette Cowles or Rachel Board at Sutton Publishing on 01453 883300 or on rboard@suttonpublishing.co.uk.
