Iconic London restaurant Sketch welcomed an incredible floral takeover in 2024 to celebrate the National Gallery’s 200th Anniversary

Artistic Statements worked with floral artist Yan Skates to transform Sketch’s iconic bathrooms and The East Bar into a living installation called Plant Beings. Inspired by the National Gallery’s painting A Still Life of Flowers in a Wan-Li Vase by Dutch Master Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder, Yan Skates’ installation recreates the painting in human form, as if it has walked off from the canvas and taken root in a new home. These strange Plant Beings echo the rich colours and exotic floral composition of the famous Dutch Master’s painting.

“I loved Yan’s approach to this project - bonkers in the best possible way!” Zoë Allen, curator and Artistic Statements founder

Plant Beings was part of Sketch in Bloom, welcoming a host of activations throughout the iconic restaurant’s spaces to celebrate the National Gallery’s 200th Anniversary in 2024.