'Seeds of Trees, Sounds of Mountains' group show at Aga Khan Centre Gallery, London, curated by Esen Kaya, open Jan - June 2025.
An exhibition exploring climate change with works by artists Ubaydullah Ahmad, Mobeen Akhtar, Samantha Buckley, Mike Collier, Rachel Dein, Genevieve Girling, Jenni Hawkins, Katie Holten, Carmen Mardonez, Helen Pailing, Olga Prinku, Robert Strati, Adam Tait, Stephen Turner, writer and poet Corina Lozovan, and sound artist Geoff Sample.
In partnership with the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Wakehurst, the Plant Genetic Resources Institute, the National Genebank of Pakistan and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
Member Helen Pailing's work 'Phloem Collection' (more images on Helen's website here):
Inspired by the Millennium Seed Bank processes at Kew Wakehurst, this collection reflects the unseen dynamics of seeds and trees. Helen used X-ray imaging technique, that is used to assess seed quality at the Seed Bank, incorporating it into the creation of some artworks. By making seed-like structures and X-raying them, she reveals hidden perspectives that echo the invisible workings of nature.
The collection's title, Phloem, refers to the layer behind a tree's bark that transports nutrients and sustains the life of developing seeds, drawing parallels to unseen yet vital processes. Pink light, used in Kew’s greenhouses to promote growth, features in a chandelier, symbolising nurturing energy.
Helen also explores seed morphology—the diverse forms and dispersal methods of seeds—through intricate glass sculptures crafted from salvaged scientific glassware. Paired with seeds and handmade willow cordage, these works symbolise the collaboration between scientific preservation and natural processes, reflecting the synergy of science working alongside nature.
