Yesterday we managed to wangle ourselves a cream tea, with ginger cake, with some good friends of ours, Elsa and Adrian Wood, at the Nurtons – home to their daughter, Gemma Wood’s Sculpture Garden. Come to visit this and Veddw too, all in a day. What more could you ask? Sunshine? Sigh…I know.
I took pictures of some of Gemma’s work, so here they are:
Go and see for yourselves, one weekend. It’s just outside Tintern: you get an abbey thrown in. (it’s a bit battered, mind you..)
Anne
“The question to ask is, ‘what is here that is true, that is underneath the superficial things? What is here that matters?”
Autobiography of a Garden is about the garden making, Pat’s life, the history of the land, the ideas, the art, the plants and the devouring deer.
But to dream, and perhaps more importantly, to innovate, we should inspire ourselves globally:
“Have issue. You were so adamant that you wouldn’t go to Chelsea again. Discuss, please”.
. And now, knowing we won’t live forever, we’re thinking about what will happen to the house and garden when we die.
The garden is actually interestingly old fashioned. It’s not just the bedding but the relentless inclusion of every garden cliché, however brilliantly executed.
I don’t imagine you expected the world of horticulture and gardens to escape the decolonising agenda. But if you have concerns …
“Maintaining tradition is only really helpful when the result is positive…”
I was saying “I love your beans”.
O, were you….?
That’s Charles ! I like her beans too but also the moon sculpture. They seem well placed in the garden.
Ps. Great pics by the way. Think you are getting the hang of it.
You’re very kind! Xxxx (I have been published in the National Press, you know…)
Thank you, Anne, for sharing these photographs of this terrific work. I just love sculpture in nature and Gemma’s work is superb. I agree with you – the pops of color are magical. I also love that this strong and impactful work is done by a woman. Is that sexist?
Thanks again,
Baker Rice (Kathleen Baker Rice)
I have one question related to my packing list for our upcoming holiday… If we were able to visit The Sculpture Garden, am I required to have a blue shirt? Charles convinced The Mrs she needs hiking boots, and now she is certain I need to pack a blue shirt… I am awed by Gemma’s artistry…
Probably not mandatory. Though you could ask what colour scheme would best suit the garden at the time of your proposed visit?
Wow, amazing gardening sculptures. Such creativity and beauty mixed in perfect masterpieces of art. Please, I am looking forward for more pictures from this garden, it’s truly inspiring for an amateur gardeners like me.