Move and Sketch in Kew Gardens

Move and Sketch in Kew Gardens

Saturday 17 May 2025 | 13:00 - 16:00

Trapped in Zone One are hosting a physical meets creative activity with a walk in Kew Gardens, exploring exhibitions and the greenspace and sketching a chosen viewpoint in the park as a group based creative activity.

The aim of our session is to improve confidence in walking on a more regular basis, boost mental wellbeing and give participants safe opportunities for social interaction. By hosting this session will aim to merge creative medium of sketching on the move engaging with participants, who are often inactive, make physical activity part of their daily routine exploring greenspaces in London.

Background to exhibitions

Power of Trees - Uncover the secrets of the forest in this new exhibition.

Explore the enduring beauty of trees across art and culture in this exhibition which showcases a diverse range of works, from intricate botanical illustrations to a groundbreaking video installation, which look at how trees have shaped human creativity.

Finnish visual artist Eija-Liisa Ahtila’s Horizontal–Vaakasuora offers an awe-inspiring portrayal of a 30-metre-tall spruce in Finland's boreal forest. Complete with the sounds of a creaking trunk and birdsong, this living portrait captures the majesty of this ancient tree while challenging our perceptions of the natural world.

Accompanying the installation are Ahtila’s preparatory works, Anthropomorphic Exercises in Film, making their UK debut at Kew.

Another highlight of the exhibition is the world premiere of 20 newly commissioned botanical artworks by The Bedgebury Pinetum Florilegium Society. Each artwork is both a visual masterpiece and a scientific record, continuing the centuries-old tradition of botanical illustration. Visitors can delve even further into the shared history of Kew and Bedgebury through previously unseen archival materials.

The Power of Trees is a celebration of nature’s artistic and scientific influence, inviting visitors of all ages to reflect on their own connections with trees.

Of the Oak - A digital artwork revealing nature's hidden worlds.

Experience Of the Oak, a one-of-a-kind immersive art installation that celebrates the oak tree as a vital hub of biodiversity.

The ground-breaking artwork is the creation of world-renowned experiential artist collective Marshmallow Laser Feast, who have had global success with their previous work exhibiting at the likes of the Saatchi Gallery, The Barbican, Cannes Film Festival and the ACMI.

The newly commissioned artwork located within Kew’s landscape is massive in scale at 6 metres. It focuses on the inner workings of the Lucombe oak at Kew Gardens, creating a ‘digital double’ of the oak by using extensive real-world data captured in collaboration with Kew’s scientists and horticulturists.

Of the Oak is an invitation to witness the oak tree as a living monument of connection, bringing to life the symbiotic relationships of the 2,300 species sustained in its ecosystem.

The experience is multisensory and interactive – as a visitor, you can impact the motions of the oak on screen by moving in front of it. And with an online guided breathing meditation, you can synchronise your breathing with the rhythms of the oak.

As part of the experience too, you’ll find out more about the future of trees and the important work that Kew is doing to protect them.

ON THE DAY

Please arrive on time at the meeting point: the entrance to Kew Gardens (Victoria Gate).

If you have any issues on the day, contact 07870 590402.

This workshop will be outdoor, we ask you to dress for the weather.

We ask all attendees to bring their own art material of a sketchbook, pencils, eraser, and sharper as a means of continuing the activity in your time after the session creating your own Move and Sketch plan. If you do require assistance with materials, contact us prior to attending the activity.

Book Now

Please book one time slot per person. Please arrive no more than 15 minutes before your booked slot. These sessions are designed for adults as an introduction to walking and sketching whilst exploring greenspaces in London.

Tickets are donation based (Pay What You Can), if you have difficulties with booking please contact us and we'd be happy to assist and reserve a place for you.

Walk-ins will not be accepted. If you can no longer attend, please cancel your ticket via Eventbrite or please get in touch with us to allow another person(s) a chance to take part.

Donate to Move and Sketch!

Move and Sketch sessions are free and with donation to attend as part of our community initative to help everyone get out, get active and make their lives better. You can now support the our work and make a donation on our website here.

Important Filming and Photography Notice

Please note that filming and photography will be taking place at this event. All imagery and footage may at some point be published on the Trapped in Zone One website, social media channels, and reporting with project funders.

Undecided? Check out some of the feedback from participants from previous workshops:

'It improved my wellbeing, it made me feel happier and calmer. Being outdoors in the sunshine and fresh air, paying attention to my surroundings, being in the moment.'

'This event has enabled me to do more walking than usual. People have been very kind and someone always walked with me even though quite slow. Very grateful to everyone at Trapped in Zone One. Have been to a few events now but originally found whilst scrolling for something to do on eventbrite.'

'My mood is uplifted and feel glad to enjoy afternoon outside.'

'It was fun to sketch and learn about the history. It was really mindful. Learning about the history of Tower Bridge and of course observing the little details and drawing from top of the tower. Also, meeting people and finding these great pockets of communities around London.'

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