Art, nature and the landscape come together in Helen Chadwick: Body and Landscape, a major exhibition at Oriel y Parc, the National Park Discovery Centre in St Davids. Running from 11th July 2026 to 10th January 2027, the exhibition celebrates the work of Helen Chadwick, one of the most inventive and influential British artists of her generation.
Presented in partnership with Amgueddfa Cymru, Museum Wales as part of ARTIST ROOMS, a programme and collection of modern and contemporary art managed by Tate and the National Galleries of Scotland, the exhibition brings together a selection of Chadwick’s work, exploring the relationship between the human body, nature and the world around us.
What makes this exhibition particularly special is its connection to Pembrokeshire. For the first time, works from Chadwick’s Viral Landscapes series are being displayed in the landscape that inspired them, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience her work in a setting that played an important role in its creation.
Whether you’re interested in contemporary art or simply looking for something different to discover during a visit to St Davids, this exhibition offers a fascinating insight into the ways we experience and connect with the natural world.
Life and Work
Born in London in 1953, Helen Chadwick became known for her experimental approach to contemporary art. Working across photography, sculpture and installation, she explored themes including identity, gender, the human body and our relationship with nature.
Her work often combined unexpected materials and imagery, challenging audiences to reconsider familiar subjects. She was particularly interested in the boundaries between the human and natural worlds, creating pieces that could be beautiful, playful and thought-provoking.
Alongside her artistic practice, Chadwick was a dedicated teacher. Her students included some of the most recognisable names in contemporary British art, such as Tracey Emin, Sarah Lucas, Anya Gallaccio and Damien Hirst. Although she died suddenly in 1996, aged just 42, her work and influence continue to shape contemporary art today.
Exploring the Exhibition
Helen Chadwick: Body and Landscape explores the connections between our bodies and the environments we inhabit. Among the featured works is Viral Landscapes (1988–89), a photographic series that combines microscopic images of human cells with panoramic landscapes, drawing parallels between the intricate structures within us and the vastness of the natural world.
The exhibition also features Piss Flowers (1991–92), a striking sculptural installation that explores ideas around gender, the body and nature. Together, these works demonstrate Chadwick’s ability to approach complex subjects in unexpected ways, encouraging visitors to look beyond the surface.
"It is a savage landscape, which restores to my sheltered city self a sense of the fascination and terror that comes on viewing the forces of nature."
Helen Chadwick
Connection to Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire played an important role in the development of Chadwick’s work. In 1987, she visited the area as part of an Artists in National Parks commission from the Victoria and Albert Museum, walking sections of the coast between Fishguard and Castlemartin.
The experience inspired her to explore the relationship between the human body and the surrounding landscape, eventually leading to her Viral Landscapes series. By bringing microscopic images of human cells together with photographs of the coast, she drew connections between our inner worlds and the environments we inhabit.
Today, visitors can explore the same landscapes that helped shape her artistic vision. From the dramatic coastal paths to the sweeping views around St Davids, Pembrokeshire offers plenty of opportunities to experience the natural environment that inspired her work.
Plan your visit
Helen Chadwick: Body and Landscape is showing at Oriel y Parc in St Davids until 10th January 2027. The exhibition is free to visit.
