Selby Gardens Announces 2025 Jean and Alfred Goldstein Exhibition

September 16, 2024 | Sarasota

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens will present George Harrison: A Gardener’s Life as the ninth installment of its annual Jean & Alfred Goldstein Exhibition Series, which examines the work of major artists through the lens of their connection to nature.

The exhibition, which will be on view February 9 through June 29, 2025, at Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus, will explore the deep and meaningful connection between musician George Harrison – best known as the lead guitarist of the legendary rock band The Beatles – and the pastime of gardening, which became his greatest passion.

George’s love of gardening was an integral part of his identity. In an interview in Rolling Stone magazine in 1979, the renowned singer-songwriter described himself as “just a gardener.” His strong association with gardening was further illustrated in his 1980 autobiography, I Me Mine, dedicated “to gardeners everywhere.”

In 1970, not long after The Beatles disbanded, the then 27-year-old George purchased the estate of Friar Park in Henley-on-Thames, a small town in the county of Oxfordshire, England. Built by an eccentric lawyer named Sir Frank Crisp in 1889, this once grand Victorian mansion with spectacular gardens had fallen into disrepair. With the help of his wife, Olivia Harrison, George was able to revitalize the neglected property, consisting of the mansion, lodges, and 32 acres of grounds. It was in this process that George’s love of gardening began to flower.

George’s free approach to gardening combined creativity, spontaneity, whimsy, humor, and joy. This approach has inspired the upcoming exhibition at Selby Gardens, which will combine a dynamic display of objects and ephemera in the Museum of Botany & the Arts with stunning horticultural vignettes in the Tropical Conservatory and throughout the gardens of the 15-acre Downtown Sarasota campus. Featured throughout the exhibition will be a selection of George’s music and lyrics, as well as excerpts from Came the Lightening, a book of poems by Olivia Harrison dedicated to George and reflecting on their time together. The resulting multi-sensory experience will highlight George’s connection to nature and celebrate his life and legacy through the power of plants.

Jennifer Rominiecki, president and CEO of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, stated, “Selby Gardens is thrilled to explore George Harrison’s love of gardening and the inspiration he drew from it. We are honored to present this exhibition to our visitors, demonstrating the many ways Harrison connected with nature.”

A selection of special programs will be scheduled throughout the run of the exhibit.  A highlight will be An Evening with Patti Smith Dedicated to George Harrison on February 12 at Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus featuring Selby Gardens’ iconic Artist in Residence Patti Smith.  Details to follow.