KAWS companion sculpture in botanical garden.

KAWS to Take Over New York Botanical Garden in 2027

The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) has unveiled an ambitious lineup of art exhibitions for the coming years, highlighted by a major garden-wide takeover by internationally renowned artist KAWS in 2027. This announcement follows the successful run of "Van Gogh's Flowers" and underscores NYBG's commitment to integrating art with its living collections.

NYBG's Artistic Vision Unveiled

NYBG is set to transform its grounds into a dynamic canvas, showcasing the intersection of ecology, design, and the arts. This initiative builds upon the Garden's rich history of collaborating with contemporary artists, offering visitors unique and immersive botanical experiences.

  • Key Takeaways:

    • NYBG to host major art exhibitions in 2026 and 2027.

    • KAWS will present a garden-wide takeover in 2027.

    • Mr. Flower Fantastic to reimagine the Orchid Show in 2026.

    • Exhibitions aim to blend art, nature, and cultural themes.

Upcoming Exhibitions: A Glimpse into the Future

The Garden's upcoming program features a diverse range of artistic expressions, promising to captivate a wide audience:

  • The Orchid Show: Mr. Flower Fantastic’s Concrete Jungle (February 7 – April 26, 2026)

  • Flower Power (May 23 – October 18, 2026)

  • KAWS (May 22 – October 24, 2027)

A Canvas for Contemporary Art

Jennifer Bernstein, CEO and The William C. Steere Sr. President of the New York Botanical Garden, emphasized the Garden's role as a platform for leading contemporary artists. "NYBG is proud to support the work of leading contemporary artists like KAWS and Mr. Flower Fantastic, offering the Garden as a canvas and our living collections as inspiration from which to create new, interdisciplinary work," she stated. These exhibitions are designed to offer visitors new, creative ways to immerse themselves in botanical experiences and deepen their appreciation for visual art and design.

Membership Opportunities

To coincide with these exciting announcements, NYBG is launching a new Two-Year Membership. This membership offers unlimited visits to the Garden, free admission to exhibitions, early access to ticket presales, and exclusive merchandise offers, while also supporting the Garden’s vital work in plant science and conservation.

Back to blog