British music icon Will Young has unveiled a garden installation at RHS Wisley that translates complex psychological concepts into horticulture. Titled “Out of the Shadows,” the project marks Young’s debut in garden design and explores the transition from introspection to openness. The installation, created alongside award-winning designer Jamie Butterworth, is on display between September 1 and 6, 2026. The garden serves as a visual narrative of self-discovery, using three distinct spaces to represent the human psyche’s evolution from hidden darkness to lively light.
Three stages of self-discovery
The installation is divided into three planted cubes, each representing a specific phase of an emotional journey. The first space, called “Beneath the Canopy,” is deliberately dense and enclosed. Shade-loving plants create a darker environment that reflects the hidden or less-explored parts of the psyche. It provides a sense of retreat and encourages visitors to look inward.
Moving into the second space, “Where the Light Falls,” the atmosphere begins to shift. Filtered sunlight passes through the planting, creating an interplay between light and shadow. This transitional area represents the gradual process of becoming more aware of parts of ourselves that may previously have remained hidden.
The final space, “Into the Open,” offers a striking contrast. The planting becomes more naturalistic and open, with grasses and colourful sun-loving perennials creating a meadow-like effect. Here, the darkness has given way to light, suggesting awakening, growth and a willingness to adopt what lies ahead.
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Will Young explains the concept behind the work. “I hope it encourages people to see how density and shade can be beautiful and as a metaphor, invites them to look into their own psyche,” the singer said. “As beauty often hides in the dark.”
Using darkness as a design element
One of the installation’s central messages is that shade should not necessarily be regarded as a problem in garden design. Instead, darker areas can provide atmosphere, texture and beauty while offering the right conditions for plants that thrive away from full sun.
For designer Jamie Butterworth, the project provided an opportunity to combine Young’s interest in Jungian psychology with his own understanding of plants. The result is a garden that connects an abstract idea about the human mind with the tangible experience of moving through a planted setting. The collaboration demonstrates how gardens can express experiences that are difficult to put into words, turning an abstract concept into something visitors can physically experience.
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