WHAT? Rory McEwen: Nature’s Song
WHERE? Garden Museum, 5 Lambeth Palace Rd, London SE1 7LB
WHEN? Now until 25th January 2026
WHY GO?  For balm to the soul. Music and art are so intrinsically intertwined that it seems hardly surprising the multi-talented Rory McEwen is equally celebrated for both his skills.
Scottish born (1932), Eton educated, McEwen was initially a folk music star — one of the first British names to appear on the famous Ed Sullivan show in the mid-Fifties. He was pals with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, and Ravi Shankar who all admired his folk music, but it’s his genius as a botanical artist that is the subject of this niche little exhibition at the Garden Museum.
McEwen advanced the old-school botanical style of watercolours into a modern contemporary vibe that is immediately seductive. Even his images of decaying flowers are beautifully portrayed.
Single blooms with meticulous detail seem to float in mid-air as he interprets flora in a minimalist manner. McEwen's love of botany was ingrained; his great-great-grandfather was a celebrated botanist associated with Kew Gardens and must surely have been an inspiration.
With 50 artworks, personal memorabilia, even sculpture displayed in the museum’s courtyard, this tribute to a unique creative spirit is intimate, offering a pleasant, calming respite to the whirl of everyday life in the city.
IN THE KNOW Continuing the botanical art theme, a complimentary display explores the work of orchid painter Nelly Roberts (1872–1959), the first and longest-serving artist for the RHS. Celebrated by botanists and scientists alike, she received many prestigious accolades in her lifetime. Nelly Roberts: Orchid Painter is on until 31st January 2026.