Visitors to New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill are seeing the property in a whole new light this spring thanks to the installation of a kinetic sculpture exhibit by award-winning Ipswich artist George Sherwood.
Wind, Waves & Light is on display at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, located in Boylston, Mass., through Oct. 14. The stainless steel and dichroic film pieces each vary in size, shape, and motion. Sherwood says he’s been inspired by the natural forces of nature since he was a child.
“This idea of being in the wind and the waves and the light describe every aspect of my life in a very philosophical way,” says Sherwood. “I feel very fortunate to wake up every day and work on the things I love. I’m not sure you can do any better than that in life.”
Seventeen sculptures have been placed throughout the property, one in the middle of New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill’s field of daffodils, another in the center of New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill’s whimsical “turtle fountain,” while the largest spins day and night with the wind in the middle of the Lawn Garden. Visitors to Farmer and the Fork cafe can’t miss the large piece known as Chroma Zone spinning above them as they dine.
“George is an incredible, nationally-known artist and we are so grateful for the chance to collaborate with him,” says Kirsten Swartz, New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill’s events manager and the exhibit’s curator. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for visitors to see the gardens and natural elements at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill from a new perspective while offering potential guests an incentive to visit for the first time and discover what we’re all about.”
Each piece evokes different feelings from each visitor. And each sculpture looks slightly different depending on the time of day, the weather, or season. Before visiting, many visitors download to their phones a self-guided audio tour in which Sherwood speaks to what inspired him about each piece.
Troy Thompson photos
Guests might combine a visit to the exhibit with opportunities to see 10,000 tulips blooming in May, to the Plant Sale on June 1, during a celebration of plants and science for the Tinkergarden celebration on Father’s Day weekend, or to Free After Three Thursdays when New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill is open without the cost of admission on Thursdays after 3 p.m. during the months of June, July, and August. New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill offers formal gardens, woodland walking trails, a boutique style Garden Shop, views of Mt. Wachusett, and more.