The Artists Garden, Temple, London, the COLAB Art, 2023

 

 

From October to December 2023 I was invited to be Artist's in Residence at The Artist's Garden, an initiative developed by the COLAB art, founded and directed by Claire Mander.

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I spent my time working through ideas for the space that encompassed my practice with timber and trees. Above are images of maquettes and collages made during my residency that are informing my current 'work in progress' towards a sculpture for the space.

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The Artist’s Garden was a neglected public space, reclaimed as a platform for women artists and launched in 2021.  Built by Sir Joseph Bazalgette in 1870 as part of Victoria Embankment to resolve the ‘Great Stink’, it is thought to be on the site of Lord and Lady Arundel’s seventeenth century garden where they displayed England’s first classical sculpture collection. The 1,400 sqm space is invisible from street level and reached by well-worn steps at the top of which a massive space opens up, offering spectacular views from the Houses of Parliament to Tate Modern.  The Artist’s Garden opened in October 2021 with Lakwena’s ‘Back in the Air: a Meditation on Higher Ground’. Growing organically and overlaying the first, the second major commission by Heywood & Condie, ‘Through the Cosmic Allotment’ explores plant human communication through landscapes installed in four greenhouses exploring aspects of our cosmic understanding of landscape. It is currently hosting Holly Hendry’s first public sculpture in London ‘Slackwater’ until September 2024.

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‘The Artist’s Garden’ is supported by and realised in partnership with Westminster City Council.  With thanks to Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Royal College of Art, WSP UK, and with kind permission of LUL/Transport for London. The Artist’s Garden and its collaboration with RCA/YSP will continue until the end of 2025.

 

Open daily from 8am with seasonal closing times at dusk, free and open to all

The Artist’s Garden, Temple Station Roof Terrace, Temple Place, London WC2R 2PH

Temple or Embankment Underground Station