View across a rectangular pond with water lilies. In the centre of the pond is a sculpture of a large bronze ring with one pelican statue sitting on top of the ring and another pelican inside the ring. On the edges of the pond several potted plants. In the background there are shrubs and trees, which are reflected in the water-filled pond.
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The Artist’s Garden exhibition at the Borde Hill Garden, Sussex

On a hot summer day visiting a beautiful garden filled with art sounds just like a perfect leisure activity. Inspired by nature, the current temporary exhibition at the charming Borde Hill Garden features over fifty artworks. I have included several of my favourites here. 

‘Treasure’, a mosaic sculpture by Liz Tiranti was inspired by The Grand Golden Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. Colourful glass mosaic pieces are glistening in the sun, it’s a happy-looking artwork. 

Colourful sculpture in the shape of a bell with three rounded shapes piled on top. The surface of the artwork is covered with coloured glass mosaic and decorated in round patterns. The sculpture is placed on a square blue plinth among green trees and bushes.
Treasure by Liz Tiranti (Poly and concrete Render, Glass and Ceramic Tiles)

Sculptor Elizabeth Cooke is inspired by nature, her works often depict different animals, insects  and birds. You will find quite a few steel birds in the garden including ‘Pair of Geese’. 

A view of a park with a pair of steel sculptures of geese on wooden block bases. The geese are shown as outlines and stand out from the surrounding green-yellowish grass. In the background there are green trees and blue sky.
Pair of Geese by Elizabeth Cooke (steel on oak base)

‘Cheese Leaf’ is one of several of David Gisby’s large stained glass leaves on display. Casting colourful shadows the artworks complement their surroundings beautifully.

Stained glass sculpture of a green leaf on wooden plinth among green shrubs and pink rose bushes
Cheese Leaf by David Gisby (steel, lead, glass)

Will Spankie sculpts mostly in stone. His works feature often simplified and elegant geometric shapes evoking natural forms, a great example of it is ‘Lily’. 

White stone sculpture of a simplified lily flower on a wooden plinth set in the backdrop of a green leafy garden.
Lily by Will Spankie (Portland stone)

I loved the eye-catching series of kinetic sculptures by Stuart Stockwell. Polished metal leaves rotate gently reflecting the sun rays and the surrounding plants. ‘The Oak’ is also functional; there is a bee hotel in its wooden plinth. 

Sculpture of silver metal oak leaves stemming from a rectangular wooden post surrounded by green shrubs and trees. The wooden post acts as a bee hotel with a large hole in the middle and lots of little holes near the base.
The Oak by Stuart Stockwell (bee hotel plinth, stainless steel, aluminium, oak)

This Grade II* listed Garden is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, not far from the picturesque Ouse Valley Viaduct in Sussex. Stretching over 200 acres, Borde Hill consists of a garden, woodland, and park. The current owner’s great grandfather Colonel Stephenson Robert Clarke bought the Elizabethan house in 1893, (the estate dates back to 1534) and established the Garden and Woodland. The Garden is organised into smaller areas, or ‘rooms’ some of which have very poetic names (echoing Victorian fashions), including ‘Paradise Walk’ ‘Garden of Allah’ or ‘Azalea Ring’. One of the most stunning areas during the summer is the Italian Garden with its tranquil water feature. In the centre of the pond is a beautiful sculpture ‘Pelicans’ by Simon Gudgeon. 

View across a rectangular pond with water lilies. In the centre of the pond is a sculpture of a large bronze ring with one pelican statue sitting on top of the ring and another pelican inside the ring. On the edges of the pond several potted plants. In the background there are shrubs and trees, which are reflected in the water-filled pond.
Borde Hill Garden, view of the Italian Garden pond with sculpture Pelicans by Simon Gudgeon.
Detail of rectangular pond with water lilies. In the centre of the pond is a sculpture of a large bronze ring with one pelican statue sitting on top of the ring and another pelican inside the ring. In the background there are shrubs and trees, which are reflected in the water-filled pond.
Borde Hill Garden, view of Italian Garden with sculpture Pelicans by Simon Gudgeon

The garden is full of rare shrubs, flowers and trees from across the world. Throughout the seasons the colours change and different plants come into the spotlight. I am looking forward to visiting again in the future. 

View of a garden path with blossoming borders of blue and purple flowers and green shrubs and trees.
Borde Hill Garden, view of Paradise Walk

You can see The Artist’s Garden exhibition at the Borde Hill Garden until 30 September 2022. 

Read more: 

Borde Hill Garden website: (link opens in another tab) https://www.bordehill.co.uk/

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