A spectacular digital exhibition exploring history, science and botanical wonder is set to bloom in Adelaide this autumn, as Empress Joséphine’s Garden makes its local debut at Immersive Light and Art (ILA).
Following a record-breaking run at the Western Australian Museum, the acclaimed large-scale experience arrives at ILA from 11 April, transforming the venue into a contemporary interpretation of the famous gardens created by Joséphine Bonaparte, wife of Napoleon.
Created by award-winning studio AGB Creative in partnership with the Western Australian Museum, the exhibition brings to life one of the world’s most celebrated botanical collections, alongside the little-known connections between early French voyages to Australia and the development of European horticulture.
Visitors first step into a reimagined gallery filled with dramatic draping, portraiture and lush foliage, setting the scene for the immersive journey ahead. The experience then unfolds in ILA’s studio across wall-to-wall LED screens with more than 12.5 million pixels, presenting sweeping digital florals, cinematic visuals, narration and an evocative musical score.
Tracing the movement of botanical specimens and animals across continents, the exhibition reveals how Joséphine assembled a collection that shaped botanical history. Audiences can explore virtual recreations of the Château de Malmaison gardens near Paris and encounter species gathered from Australian shores, including black swans, kangaroos and native flora.
Through layered storytelling, the experience explores themes of exploration, science and cultural exchange, while reframing Joséphine as a pioneering tastemaker whose influence extended across fashion, design and botany.
ILA Creative Director Melissa Lee says the exhibition continues the venue’s commitment to bold immersive programming, offering audiences a fresh perspective on a historical figure often overshadowed by her famous husband.
The project also has strong local connections, drawing on research by Adelaide-based French studies academics who examined links between French exploration and Australia’s natural history.
Designed as a multi-sensory blend of spectacle and insight, Empress Joséphine’s Garden promises a captivating journey through history, nature and innovation.
Location: Immersive Light and Art (ILA), Level 1, 63 Light Square, Adelaide
When: Fri, 11 Apr – Sun, 17 May 2026
Tickets: immersivelightandart.com.au
