Garden Art

I must confess to not being a massive fan of artwork in the garden, it can too easily be a distraction from the main event. At the risk of seeming just a bit of a snob, art in the garden is too often a matter of ill considered tat. Of course there is definitely a place for the garden gift from a dearly beloved gran, even a spot for the kitch garden gnome but the mass produced garden centre fakes are simply not to my taste. Art and sculpture can be a genuine focal point or a hidden treasure but for me the real art and beauty are in the plants. Despite the best efforts of the Chelsea designers nothing can eclipse the magnificent complexities to be found in the natural world.
Of course I am now about to describe the few bits and pieces that can be found in our garden. While none are statement objects around which the space is defined, I think their understated, disguised appearance adds an element of intrigue and even mystery.

The upper pond has a gargoyle style face set into the stonework above the water. When turned on a flow of water comes from the mouth and into the pond. The whole piece was perhaps the biggest extravagance in the garden. It was sculpted by a local man to a design I provided for him with a series of photographs showing fine roofing detail from the great hall at the school were I worked for over 30 years.

Throughout the garden there are hidden away different green man images, a symbol of our reliance upon and union with nature (I must admit to being a little fascinated by this patently pagan symbolism which recurs so often in the historic churches of this country; I would whole heartedly recommended a visit to Southwell Minster)

Elsewhere an Ent (tree man) can also be found, as can Jeremy Fisher and rose mosaic, more of which will appear in a later blog entry.

Finally, cat picture to prove that they do occasionally venutre into the wild together, if not very often.