New botanical art museum to open

One of the works of art featured in the museum. Pic: RGB Kew

Paintings and sketches of fruits, flowers and leaves are to go on show at a new museum in Kew Gardens.

The Shirley Sherwood Gallery will exhibit precious works of art from the collections of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and Dr Shirley Sherwood.

Many of the works will have never been on public display before.

The gallery, which has been designed by award-winning architects Walters and Cohen, opens to the public on Saturday and will be a year-round attraction.

Dr Shirley Sherwood told BBC London News: "There is a huge renaissance in botanical art. I have paintings from 30 different countries in my collection.

"This gallery is the only place in the world which is designed to show botanical watercolours. They are exquisite detailed paintings which yet also have wall appeal which is important."