The Struggle for Light at Cambridge University Botanic Garden

Inspired by the remarkable but little-known work of 19th-century artist, writer and scientist Mary Merrifield, the exhibition explores creativity, resilience and the challenges women have faced in pursuing artistic careers across generations.

The project began with a simple question: Why did Mary Merrifield choose to paint and collect seaweed?

Looking to her pioneering ideas on women’s freedom and dress reform, The Glasshouse Artists imagine seaweed as a symbol of movement, possibility and liberation – a striking contrast to the social constraints placed on Victorian women. Merrifield’s determination to balance artistic ambition with domestic expectations continues to resonate with the experiences of women artists today.

Step inside an atmospheric Victorian sitting room, reimagined through sculpture, lighting, sound and specially commissioned creative writing. At the heart of the installation, large transparent tanks filled with aquatic plants evoke the Botanic Garden’s glasshouses and waterways. Reaching towards the light, the plants weave around sculpted figures representing Mary Merrifield, her descendants and generations of women artists, creating a powerful visual metaphor for perseverance, growth and the pursuit of creative recognition.

Throughout the space, botanical imagery appears in unexpected places – from hidden details woven into wallpaper and textiles to striking artworks displayed around the room – inviting visitors to look closely and uncover the many layers of the story.

Created by The Glasshouse Artists, the exhibition celebrates the power of creativity, collaboration and community, while shining a light on the stories of women whose artistic contributions deserve to be better known.