Form & Formality

The parterre garden opposite the lovely Queen Anne facade of Trereife house reflects an age when it was the fashion to control nature. The trees and parkscape ends and a design of clipped low hedges and gravel paths impose a man-made order. This formality makes an interesting environment for our selected artists work, particularly where it contrasts with the variety and vigour of the upper border.

James Eddy Un Coeur D'or Metalwork + more

David Paton St Piran Sculpture + more

Jane Smith Glass + more

Sculpture Exhibition in the Parterre Garden and Upper Border

Design, making and fine art often fuse together in sculpture. To make sculpture, a high level of craft expertise and an understanding of materials is required. ‘Form and Formality’ exhibition aims to show the skills of these creative maker-artists. They think, draw, make collages, maquettes and conjure forms out of their imagination. Along the way, there are many practical considerations and periods of problem-solving; so the sculpture emerges as part of this process.

I have selected works made of materials that are less traditional in garden sculpture, notably: glass, metal, wood and ceramic, as well as the more traditional materials of bronze and stone. All of these materials illuminate a place in the garden in a unique way. As the day goes on and the shadows move; as the seasons change and with that the plants and dappled shade that surrounds them, so each sculpture takes on a different aspect. They can be moved of course to animate different parts of the garden depending on the light and season.

Sculpture can give a garden focus, excitement and meaning.

Miranda Leonard June 2018