The Magic of Ukrainian horticulture at the Self Garden Exhibition in London

Photo: Benedict Brink

On December 2, the "Self Garden" exhibition opened at Enso House in London, showcasing the work of Ukrainian florist and founder of Pepperose Studio, Yuliia Borysenko. The exhibit explores the magic of gardening, its spontaneity, and its healing power. Drawing inspiration from the Japanese Ikebana school of Sogetsu and flowers from Ukrainian gardens, the abstract compositions of vegetables, herbs, and flowers were created using seasonal materials sourced from small farms, wild fields, and serendipitous discoveries.

The installations are complemented by still-life photography by Ukrainian photographer Stepan Lisovsky. Combined with the floral displays, the project pays tribute to the symbolism of plants native to Ukraine and celebrates the culture of Ukrainian horticulture. The gallery space also features "The Spider" — a constellation of straw stems handcrafted by Ukrainian designer and architect Yanina Pedan, symbolizing the universe and protection.

The exhibition is further enriched by a film by Orest Bakhmak, documenting the life cycles of flora and fauna in the garden of his home in Vynnyky, Lviv region, from the early 1970s, and an audio installation by sound producer Nastia Vohan, blending archival recordings of traditional Ukrainian songs with a meditative recital of Latin plant names performed by a voice generated using AI.

The creative director of the exhibition is Sonya Kvasha.

The Self Garden exhibition will be open in London until December 7.