In Bloom with Chinese Empresses: Art, Symbolism, and Reflections at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill
June 29, 2025 · Tripti Gore Chandorkar
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- A Garden Fit for Empresses
- A Personal Reflection on Art, Nature and Connection
- Art as a Living Legacy
- Useful links to Explore
Introduction
There are rare moments in life when time seems to slow down—when beauty, culture, and connection blend into something quietly transformative. That’s exactly what I experienced on the evening of June 24th at the Private Opening Reception for Xiang Li’s Chinese Empresses exhibit at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill in Boylston, MA.
Here at Xiang Li Art, we want to take a moment to share our deep gratitude towards the incredible New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, as well as the marvelous team we work with: Grace Elton (CEO of New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill), Liz Nye (Public Relations Manager), Lea Morgan (Manager of Exhibitions), Becca Darrouzet (Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations), Megan Stouffer (Digital Marketing Coordinator), and so many more to name.
I arrived, like many others, expectant and curious. But I left stirred, uplifted, and deeply inspired.
From the moment we stepped into the elegant galleries of the Garden, we were transported. The vibrant paintings, each a luminous homage to the Empresses of Chinese history, came alive within the serene architecture and floral spirit of the space. It felt as if the artworks had always belonged there, nestled amid blossoms, light, and quiet reverence.
A Garden Fit for Empresses
What made this exhibit so powerful was not only the exquisite brushwork or Xiang Li’s deeply symbolic portrayals of Chinese empresses, but also the seamless way the natural world echoed through her canvases. Her paintings are rich in peonies, plum blossoms, orchids, and other flora that once adorned the gardens of the Forbidden City in Beijing —felt completely at home at Tower Hill. Nature was not merely the backdrop, it was an extension of the artwork itself.
As Fei Wu, Xiang’s daughter and the event’s gracious host, shared in her welcome remarks, the reception was an intimate and carefully curated gathering, exclusive yet warmly inclusive. The evening opened with a joyous lion dance performance that instantly lifted our spirits. Delicious bites and cooling drinks followed, offering a welcome respite from the unusually hot summer day (it was 95°F!). We all lingered longer than expected, drawn in by the art, the conversations, and the sheer peacefulness of the place.
A Personal Reflection on Art, Nature and Connection
I was so moved by what I saw and felt that evening that I promised myself: I must return to explore the gardens in their full glory. I couldn’t do so during the reception due to the heat, but I know this space holds more treasures waiting to be discovered. And I especially want to return with my mother. She would find joy in these halls and trails—in seeing beauty presented not as decoration, but as heritage and reverence.
If you are seeking a meaningful outing with your mother or anyone you hold dear, this is a wonderful destination. Bring a picnic (or pre-order for pick up at their onsite café- link below), take a slow walk, see the exhibit, and let the garden’s quiet poetry work its way into your soul. I can’t think of a better way to spend a day together.
Art as a Living Legacy
Xiang Li’s Chinese Empresses is more than an art exhibit. It is a celebration of feminine strength, cultural memory, and nature’s symbolism across centuries. The peonies in her work stand for dignity and grace. The plum blossoms, so delicate, yet brave, symbolize perseverance in adversity. Every stroke, every flower, every Empress tells a story that connects the past to the present.
Seeing these stories unfurl across gallery walls and garden paths reminded me of the deeper purpose of art—not just to admire, but to remember, to honor, and to pass on.
So here I am, passing it on to you.
Go if you can. Take your time. Bring your heart—and maybe your mom too!
Useful links to Explore
New England Botanical Garden at Tower Hill
More about Xiang Li’s exhibit and associated events at the Botanic Gardens
Chinese Empresses
Onsite Café
https://nebg.org/farmer-and-the-fork/