FLORAL REEF & CO
a journey through nature to craft.
Sensory Floral Workshop 2026
Immersive Sensory Floral Arrangement, Edinburgh, United Kingdom 27 June 2026
Location: Mandala Teahouse, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Partners:
Mandala Teahouse,
Thai2Go Edinburgh
As part of The Taste That Couldn't Wait exhibition, I designed a sensory and cultural workshop that invited participants to explore Thai food culture through botanical materials, scent, taste, and floral expression.
The workshop was developed as an extension of the exhibition’s exploration of Tom Yum soup — not only as a dish, but as a vessel of memory, identity, and cultural connection. Through a multisensory journey, participants were encouraged to experience Thai ingredients beyond visual representation, engaging with their aromas, flavours, textures, and symbolic meanings.
The experience began with a quiet observation of the exhibition space, allowing participants to immerse themselves in the botanical artwork Centre of the Table (2026) and discover the cultural stories behind Tom Yum’s ingredients.
Participants were then invited to taste Tom Yum soup, adding another sensory layer to their understanding of the artwork and the botanical elements presented within the exhibition.
Following this sensory exploration, participants learned contemporary floral arrangement techniques, including botanical selection, composition, and material exploration. Using their personal interpretations and emotional responses to the experience, they created their own floral artworks in a supportive and non-judgmental creative environment guided by the artist.
Through this workshop, I aimed to create a space where Thai culture could be experienced through multiple senses, while encouraging dialogue and connection within Edinburgh’s multicultural community.
Hosted at Mandala Tea House, a sanctuary for art, culture, and stillness, the workshop was enhanced by the venue’s carefully curated tea experience and tranquil atmosphere, allowing participants to fully engage with the exhibition and their own creative process.