Chihuly in the Botanic Garden

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Fri 27 Sep 2024 - Tue 29 Apr 2025

Sapphire Star - Artist: Dale Chihuly, Photographer: Scott Mitchell Leen

A few years back, my mother-in-law posted some interesting photos on social media of glass installations at Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle and my love of art and gardens had me adding this city to my bucket list.

I haven’t made it to Seattle as yet but I was elated when I saw that artist Dale Chihuly is bringing a number of his installations to Australia in an exhibit full of colour and light at Adelaide Botanic Garden, and it just so happens I will be in Adelaide during the exhibition.

Dale uses both old and new techniques in creating world-class art through a range of mediums, with his glass work focused on organic forms that have been exhibited at museums, gardens and public spaces around the globe.

His creative journey into massive architectural glass installations was inspired by his mother’s love of gardens and his own connection to nature and this exhibition in Adelaide of 15 translucent glass plants and monumental sculptures is a trail worth embarking on.

Taking your breath away as you wander through the beautiful lush landscapes of the garden are the awe-inspiring Sapphire Star and the Lime & Lava Red Tower, amongst others, that can be viewed outdoors for free during the day with no ticket required.

Lime & Lava Red Tower - Artist: Dale Chihuly, Photographer: Nathaniel Willson

In the conservatory, more magnificence awaits with an accompanying exhibition aptly named In Full Colour: Dale Chihuly. It explores the celebrated artist’s life and career, inspirations, epic installations and his influence on contemporary glass art. It’s also a glimpse behind the doors of the Chihuly hot shop and how the sculptures on display were conceived, transported and built on site.

In this rainforest setting, you’ll see groupings of glass sculptures erupting from the vegetation as if they are sprouting like hybrid plants writhing and twisting as they echo vivid colours and bizarre forms of wild tropical plants.

There is a cost for this indoor exhibit of $14 per adult or $12 concession. Children 12yrs and under are free. Tickets are available online .

It doesn’t end there. If you want to see the outdoor sculptures in a different light, there is Chihuly Nights, an evening event where the sculptures are dramatically lit to mesmerise you further by lending themselves to new dimensions. Adding to this in the Schomburgk Pavilion, in the heart of the garden, you can enjoy live acoustic music and delicious food and beverages from award-winning caterers. All of this action overlooks a magnificent sculpture suspended above the Mediterranean Garden.

Ethereal Spring Persians - Artist: Dale Chihuly, Photographer: Nathaniel Willson

This feast of the senses is $25 per adult or $20 concession with children 12 years and under free. For these prices, the In Full Colour: Dale Chihuly exhibition in the conservatory is also included. You can get tickets here or at the door. Note this is a cashless venue.

Timings for each event are, as follows -

Outdoor garden experience during the day


In Full Colour: Dale Chihuly exhibition


Chihuly Nights


If you want to take away a memento of your visit, the JamFactory (an art gallery in Adelaide’s CBD) will have a retail outlet in the Museum of Economic Botany within the botanic garden for you to purchase a range of Chihuly merchandise that includes books, postcards, hats, T-shirts, tote bags, limited edition glass artworks and prints for the contemporary glass collector to commemorate the Chihuly experience. You can shop daily during the 7 months of the exhibition from Sun-Weds 10am-5pm and Thurs-Sat 10am-9pm.

Planning your visit


Facilities


A map of the garden can be viewed here .

I, for one, can’t wait to see Chihuly’s wonderful pieces and there are also plenty of gardens to meander through within the Botanic Garden, from the cactus and succulent garden to the rose garden, the Australian native garden and the dahlia garden, Palm House and the Amazon Waterlily Pavilion. Lovers of art and gardens will be spoiled with a bounty of beauty.

(All images of Chihuly’s art pieces are copyrighted and were provided by and thanks to the SA Government)

Website: www.botanicgardens.sa.gov.au

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