A rainforest isn’t a rainforest if there’s just one singular tree. It is a complex, thriving network of plants and animals that rely on one another to grow, breathe, and flourish.
art-K Presents ‘Wild at Art’ a free Immersive Rainforest Exhibition Created by 2,500+ Collaborative Artists of All Ages.
art-K believe that artists of all ages thrive when they belong to a community and that shared passion and enthusiasm shines through in their biggest annual summer exhibition yet! More than 2,500 artists poured a collective 30,000+ hours into creating this spectacular, immersive rainforest installation.
The theme serves as a celebration of connection and belonging. Grounded in a recent World Health Organisation Commission on Social Connection report highlighting that 1 in 5 teenagers experience loneliness, alongside art-K’s own 2026 ‘Creative Renaissance’ survey of 2,000 over-60s which revealed that 72% agree creative activities actively combat isolation.
The exhibition shifts focus from the “individual masterpiece” to the strength of the collective: a major team effort from art-K’s nationwide network of over 60 studios which welcomes around 8,500 students of all ages and experience levels into their studios each week.
Every leaf, bug, tree, mushroom, creature, and critter within the installation has been handmade to contribute to the ‘bigger picture’, echoing a natural ecosystem where individual elements rely on one another to flourish.
Emily Harper, Co-Founder & Managing Director, says:
“Every day in our studios, students support each other in their creations and learn how to appreciate artworks that are different from their own. Being an artist requires vulnerability – every artwork is a visual expression of an idea or an emotion. We live in a world where vulnerability is often discouraged so I am incredibly proud that our students have the confidence to paint, shape or mold what they want to say.
We believe that a collective creative community can inspire artists to go even further than they ever could alone.”
For over a decade, art-K has been on a mission to fill the critical gap in children’s creative education, a deficiency highlighted in their 2025 YouGov Report, ‘Creative Crisis: Teachers Report Drop in Fine Motor Skills’. ‘Wild at Art’ brings this studio ethos to the public sphere, transforming the gallery into a sensory experience where visitors are encouraged to step inside the ecosystem, embrace their imagination and interact with fellow explorers.
Kathryn Harper, Co-Founder & Creative Director, adds:
“I have been amazed at the imaginations of the children, adults and art teachers enabling Wild at Art to come to life! The students have made the most intricate, small creatures – pushing their fine motor control to the limit – as well as the largest sculptural creations they’ve made to date. The result is a bright, colourful ode to the rain forest and all its abounding beauty.’
The Oxo Gallery, Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse Street, London, SE1 9PH
Wednesday, August 19th – Bank Holiday Monday, August 31
Check website for further information abut the exhibition and the workshops: https://www.art-k.co.uk/
