A garden robin

Another sculpture from one of the stands at this year’s Chelsea, and one that many of us could recreate for real in our own gardens, with our own friendly robin and spade. We have a couple of robins in our garden which I’m told is unusual as they’re territorial. But even so, they’re inquisitive and friendly, or just after the worms and insects where we’re working.

This sculpture is one by Rupert Till whose wire sculptures are just stunning, and something I’d be happy to incorporate into a garden. Some are quite large, on his website you’ll see a racehorse jumping a fence, which would be quite hard to accommodate in a domestic garden, but the smaller sculptures should be easier.

What do you think?

Falling more elegantly than I ever could

At Chelsea this year there were a few sculptures that caught my eye, and while I don’t think I’m in the market for something quite this size (or frankly price) this “Falling Man” by Helen Sinclair* is the style I’d go for if I were.

But as someone who has a tendency to be a bit clumsy, the idea of capturing someone falling appealed. Although I’m sure I never look anywhere near as elegant during a mishap.  That could be when my ankle decides to give way while walking, making it look like I’ve forgotten how to walk, or if I unintentionally knock something on the table and scramble to save its contents spilling everywhere, usually with mixed results!

Wouldn't it be good though if falling (as I’m resigned to the fact it happens to me) looked so classy, all of the time?

FALLING MAN BY HELEN SINCLAIR

* BTW if you’re interested: the sculpture is in bronze and is priced at £14,500.  

My clumsiness is long-standing and resulted in broken bones while growing up. There was the time that I fell down the stairs wearing my new slippers with, as it turned out slippery soles, but with a much wanted “fake-fur pom-pom” on the top (broken arm) and the one where I was skipping alone in the school playground, got tangled up in the rope and fell (broken foot).

So I feel well qualified to talk about falling, let’s hope I’m not about to surpass my earlier attempts.  

Maybe buying the sculpture would be the better option after all...

Apple and pear sculptures

Not stone roses, but slate apples and pears. And giant ones at that. But totally stunning.

I saw these at Chelsea and had to restrict myself to admiring their form and taking pictures for an emotional distance. The sculptures are by James Parker, who on his website says he enjoys taking unrefined materials like slate and creating something that captures the imagination of the viewer. These certainly captured mine, and not just for the largest fruit bowl ever.

I think the squirrels in our garden might be quite confused by them too, although they probably have the same level of ripeness. Even though this appears to have been our best year for pears for quite a while, we’re not holding out much hope for actually eating any. The squirrels have had a few bites, and I’m sure the birds have had a peck or two. There are some that remain untouched, but I think even cooking them so they soften would be a challenge.

Maybe it’s just an ornamental pear, but on the other hand they’re nowhere near as ornamental as these.