Gardens
The gardens will ultimately consist of some 13 acres of sculpture gardens and walks but currently extend to 4 acres. The gardens are designed for the display of sculpture and carved lettering. In the pareterre or sensory garden there is usually a sculpture installation on view which changes annually and in the memory field there is a permanent display of carved lettering on loan from the Memorial Arts Charity. Throughout the gardens you find a changing display of pieces of sculpture and carved lettering by different artists.
The Memorial Arts Charity is the only charity in the UK with the specific brief of fostering contemporary memorial art. Since 1998 they have directed their energies to addressing gaps in letter-carving training, running an apprenticeship scheme and letter carving workshops throughout the UK, engaging with trade monumental masons and others to influence standards and raise public awareness and appreciation of memorial arts relevant to the 21st century.
The purpose of the Art & Memory Collection, shown at six sites across the UK, is to show how beautiful and varied contemporary memorial art can be while providing an inspiration for those wishing to erect a memorial.
Gardens News
We will open the gardens for the season on 23 March.
From May to October there will be a sculpture exhibition of the work of Julian Wild. Julian is a young British sculptor and the current recipient of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Arts Club Trust Studio Bursary. The award has given him a purpose built sculpture studio in Chelsea for three years and, as part of the project, a solo exhibition at Leighton House Museum in February this year. He has recently exhibited at Burghly Sculpture Garden and in Spitalfields. He graduated from Kensington University in 1995 and lives in London.
His work explores the potential of functional materials and construction systems and the expressive possibilities of a single line or a series of units. He works in a diverse range of materials from clay and glass through to stainless steel. The physical possibilities of each material is pushed to its limit in the objects that he makes.
A selection of his exciting works in steel will be on display in the parterre garden.
William Pye
The 2013 season will be the last season we are priviliged to have the spectular water sculpture by William Pye taking centre stage. This work has been kindly loaned to us by the artist. You will also find a permanent water sculpture by William Pye in the fountain court.
Memory Gardens:
The 2010 season saw the opening of the Memory Gardens, which are especially landscaped to house the collection of Memorial Art on permanent loan from the Memorial Arts Charity.
We are planning to add pieces to this collection each year.
previous exhibitions
We will open the gardens for the season on 28 April with a season long display of ceramics for the garden. Works range from traditional terracotta planters to large scale outdoor ceramics, ceramic sculpture and installations.
There are stunning pots by Jenifer Jones, Tony Hall, Brigitte Reuter and Gwynneth Rixon. Beautiful birdbaths by Sarah Walton and large cereamic heads by well known sculptor Pat Volk as well as an installation by Michel Francois.
In the gallery are smaller pieces by Phil Rogers, Jason Braham, Bridget Drakeford, Kate Schuricht and others.
Have a look at Tony Hall throwing a large terracotta pot: http://vimeo.com/40181876
Garden Benches: A contemporary interpretation
7 May – 30 October 2011
in the Ardizzone Sensory and Sculpture Garden and surrounding areas.
Open Thursdays and Fridays 11 am–5 pm and weekends 2–5 pm.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays by appointment and for groups.
Entrance by donation.
Twenty artist-craftsmen have been asked to design and create benches for gardens. Most gardens still rely on traditional Victorian and Edwardian designs for seating. The artist contributing to this display are showing
new and imaginative ideas in wood, stone and metal.
The gardens of Monnow Valley Arts will be open under