Jersey Zoo in full Bloom!
Friday 6 June 2025
Jersey Zoo is now in Bloom! Designed by artist Stuart Semple in collaboration with Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Bloom opened to the public today. The one-of-a-kind installation, made up of 5,000 vibrant and eco-friendly flower sculptures, is available to view until 30 September. It is part of a series of events to celebrate GD100, marking one hundred years since conservationist Gerald Durrell was born, whilst also fundraising for the future of the Trust.
Inspired by Gerald Durrell’s story and passion, Bloom is a colourful meadow featuring six of Gerry’s favourite flowers. The pop-up installation can be found in the courtyard of Les Augres Manor at the centre of Jersey Zoo, which was Gerald Durrell’s home for many years.
Created in line with Durrell’s ethos, each sculpture is made of 100% renewable plant-based ingredients. Each flower has then been painted in one of seven vibrant Stuart Semple colours created especially for Durrell and finished with a coat of ‘Lit’ paint, which makes them glow in the dark.
Visitors, Durrell members and the public are being invited to take part in Bloom by purchasing their very own flower, which in turn will raise vital funds to support Durrell with its mission to save species from extinction. At the end of the installation, each flower will then be sent to its new owners around the world.
Commenting on the launch of Bloom, Durrell CEO, Rebecca Brewer commented:
“We are so excited to be able to share Bloom with our visitors, supporters and the wider community. This year is a special year for Durrell as we celebrate 100 years since the birth of our remarkable founder Gerald Durrell. The vibrant colours of the Bloom flowers are a beautiful reminder of Durrell’s mission to create a wilder, healthier, more colourful world for us all to enjoy. I hope everyone can come and see the installation this summer and love it as much as we all do!”
Durrell’s Honorary Director Lee Durrell shared:
“Bloom reminds me of so many things about Gerald Durrell – his passion for wildflowers, his fondness for sketching fanciful animals and plants, his conviction that the diversity of life on earth should be cherished and safeguarded and, finally, his optimism that this can be achieved if we all work together. He would have loved the fact that the flowers in Bloom will ultimately find their way to the homes of Durrell supporters all around the world!”
A unique collaboration, the partnership between Stuart Semple and Durrell has resulted in a truly captivating installation that blends art, technology, and environmental stewardship. Stuart has previously worked with Durrell on their Go Wild Gorillas and Tortoise Takeover sculpture trails and is excited to be working with them again.
Artist Stuart Semple added:
“I’m so excited to be collaborating with Durrell again, especially on such a wonderful occasion. We’ve all spent months on end making Bloom and I’m very excited for everyone to see it. Gerry was a total hero of mine - he championed the creatures that others overlooked. I’ve always done everything I can to make art for everyone. The fact that Bloom is living outside his home is a dream and an honour. I hope it helps people think about the impact they have on the world around them and about how powerful one small positive act can be in an ecosystem.”
Visitors can enjoy Bloom as part of their day at Jersey Zoo. The installation is free with zoo entry and normal zoo admissions apply.
Bloom has kindly been sponsored by Ports of Jersey Limited, Rathbones Investment Management International, Cazenove Capital and Pentagon. If your organisation would like to be involved with Bloom, or other GD100 celebrations, contact alexandra.shears@durrell.org.