Transformative Landscape Design: Reconnecting People to Ecology
with Lily Kwong, botanical artist and landscape designer
Wednesday, October 16, 7-8 p.m. ET
Virtual
$15 AHS members/$20 non-members
This program is approved for 1 CEU with the Association of Professional Landscape Designers.
Studio Lily Kwong’s practice sits at the intersection between horticulture, urban design, contemporary art, and climate awareness with a mission to reconnect people to ecology through transformative landscape projects and site-specific art installations. This talk will focus on the studio’s philosophy and its unique approach of using plant life as an artistic medium, using exhibitions The Orchid Show: Natural Heritage and an upcoming public art piece for Madison Square Park as examples of works that embody the inspirations and goals of SLK’s projects.
We will also delve into process – Studio Lily Kwong’s commitment to ecological work starts with our commitment to materials and community. From initial concept development through build, use and end of life, the materials and practices used for our programs are ethically sourced, executed, reused and recycled. In addition to exploring the philosophical framework of our projects, we will also share the technical and logistical aspects of approach that make our pieces thrive and grow.
LA-based Artist Lily Kwong works at the intersection between horticulture, urban design, contemporary art, and climate awareness, reconnecting people to nature through transformative landscape projects and site-specific botanical art installations.
Kwong has been part of numerous public art initiatives since beginning her practice in 2017, including botanical installations at The Highline, NY; Faena Arts, Miami; Grand Central Station, NY; Salone del Mobile, Milan; EXPO CHICAGO, Chicago; and many more. Most recently, she made history as the first female & person of color to take on the role of guest designer for the New York Botanical Garden’s 20th anniversary orchid show – The Orchid Show: Natural Heritage focused on Lily’s Chinese roots & broke attendance records with 265,000 visitors throughout the show’s 3-month run in 2023. She has received numerous accolades for her work: ARCHMARATHON & Dezeen Awards in 2020 for Glossier Seattle, and the World Spa Awards for Shou Sugi Ban House in East Hampton, NY. Kwong has also featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 under the Art & Style Category in 2018 and ELLE Decor’s A-List. She has been selected to speak at MOCA, The Aspen Ideas Festival, The World Youth Forum, Design Miami and NeueHouse.
Kwong graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Columbia University’s Urban Studies program in 2012 and participated in the certificate program at the New York Botanical Gardens in 2017. She was a fellow at the Academy of Global Humanities & Critical Theory in Bologna, Italy (2019) and part of the New Museum’s incubator program NEW INC from 2018-2020.
Recognizing her efforts, Kwong was named one of ‘9 Young New Yorkers Poised for Creative Greatness’ by The New York Times and her work has been featured in the New Yorker, Vogue, Architectural Digest, Domino, Forbes, Fast Company and more. She previously served as Landscape Editor for Cultured magazine, where she profiled legends in her field from Agnes Denes to Fernando Caruncho.
