Plants
of current interest Plants
of current interest
Now in its eighth year, Art in the Garden at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens has become established as one of the most exciting outdoor exhibitions of contemporary craft and sculpture in the UK. Over 200 pieces of art from new and established artists are given the opportunity to show their work to a new audience in a beautiful setting within the 180 acre Gardens.
From 26th May until 28th October, the exhibition features a range of local, British and international artists. The artists have used all kinds of materials, both traditional and contemporary, which include glass, stone, plastics, stainless steel and wood. Many artists work to a green environmental agenda using sustainable materials and low impact processes.
Inspiration for the sculptures has been found in many areas; nature’s wonderful process of new growth and plant reproduction is highlighted by Rebecca Newnham’s vibrant mosaic glass sculptures. Of course there is a large element of humour and surprise with large metal prawns, giant bugs and beasts (can you spot the giant spider on a tree by the pond?), colourful dragons and full sized chicken-wire and grass sheep! Children are encouraged to explore the Gardens and interact with many pieces hidden amongst a special grass trail.
We are pleased to welcome back some familiar names to the exhibition such as Steve Blaylock and Paul Harvey with sculptural bugs, animal and bird forms. David McDiarmid, who provides an element of humour and always raise a smile, visited us in June to work on-site creating his cardboard and resin figures. They can be seen at the bottom of the Gardens' vista.
We are delighted that Southampton Saab are once again providing support for Art In The Garden and in particular for our Artist in Residence who worked in in the Gardens from the 13th to 19th August. Lisa Yardley created stunning 'flying boats' that will gives the impression of floating through the Garden’s borders. You can see the finished result along the Gardens' summer flowering Centenery Border. Visitors also had the opportunity to ‘take part in art’ on Saturday 18th August, when Lisa ran a workshop to create beautiful metallic, shiny fish.
From Tues 2nd to 28th October there will be an indoor exhibition showcasing smaller works of art. Most of the Art In The Garden is available for purchase for you to take home and enjoy in your own garden or home - and ideal for those unique Christmas gifts!
For further information about Underground Art + Design and Art In The Garden 2007 please contact: Elizabeth Hodgson: underground_artanddesign@yahoo.co.uk
Underground Art + Design is a not-for-profit arts organisation set up to promote the work of artists and designers. For further information on exhibiting in Art In The Garden 2008 please email Elizabeth at: underground_artanddesign@yahoo.co.uk.
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Art in the Garden 2006 (was its seventh year at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens), in partnership with Underground Art + Design.
The exhibition ran from 27 May until 29 Oct and featured a range of local, British and international artists – many who had recently shown work at major design events such as the Chelsea Flower Show and the Grand Designs Live exhibition. The artists work in many materials, both traditional and contemporary, which include glass, stone, plastics, stainless steel and wood Many artists work with an environmental agenda and use recycled and found objects within their creations.
Inspiration
for the work exhibited has evolved from many areas; the beauty of the natural
world was shown through Paul Coxs blue ceramic butterflies hovering in the
long grass by the pond bringing colour and movement to the landscape (back by popular demand in 2007!), to
human emotion as shown in the work 'Falling in Love by the internationally
renowned artist Mackenzie Thorpe and the landscape as seen in Julie Taylors
patterned ceramic hills.
There were some familiar names to the exhibition such as Michael Turner and Steve Blaylock with stainless steel bugs and birds, and David McDiarmids cardboard and resin characters. Also exhibiting were furniture designers and makers such as Martin Howard, James Noble and Martin Young inspired by the contemporary move to outdoor living.
We are delighted that Southampton Saab once again provided support for the development of the regions art by sponsoring Art In The Garden 2006 and the Artist in Residence who worked at the Gardens in July and August 2006. Laura Ellen Bacon created a site-specific piece using willow and other coppiced material and wove her organic creations onto and around one of our oak trees thus intertwining her art into her chosen setting. Her work is ephemeral and will gradually decay back into the landscape that inspired it. You can still see her work in the oak field, which should remain standing until 2008 -09! (Follow the slope down the vista and the large oak tree is halfway down to your right).
Visitors were invited to join her and help to complete the final stage of her creation so we were pleased that so many of you enjoyed having 'a part in art'!.Her wonderful work was recently featured on BBC 1's 'Countryfile'!
Ian John, dealer principal of Southampton Saab, said: 'Art in the Garden is an important event for the region and Lauras project is a fantastic way for people to get involved and to directly contribute to a piece of art designed for the whole community to enjoy. We at Southampton Saab are proud to offer our support to the exhibition – it is thanks to initiatives like Art in the Garden that the city of Southampton and its surrounding area are able to maintain their thriving artistic culture. We look forward to exciting new art in 2007'
The dealership hosts an annual celebratory gala evening at the exhibition, allowing invited guests the opportunity to take a closer look at the collection whilst taking a leisurely stroll around the impressive 180-acre gardens. On these evenings, Southampton Saab will be showcasing some of the latest models from the Saab collection within the grounds.
The Art in the Garden project is organised and managed by Underground Art and Design on behalf of all participating artists. Southampton Saab and Hampshire County Council co-fund the event along with the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens who provides the unique venue.
Elizabeth Hodgson, director and curator of Underground Art and Design said: 'I am so glad to once again have Southampton Saab onboard for this years Art in the Garden and that their support has enabled us to bring an exciting new talent to the exhibition – something we could not achieve without this kind of support. Most artists provide work for the exhibition with the hope of making a sale. A residency needs to be paid for and this can only happen if we find open-minded members of the local commercial world to support them.'
Download Art in the Garden 2006 leaflet Pdf. 512k