Inspiration from Andrew Logan and Artistic Gardening Dos and Don'ts

Some things just make me smile .... and for me the natural next step is to share my discoveries and what they mean to me.

I want to invite people into my world. I suppose that that is what a lot of being an artist is about; trying to get people to see things through your eyes .. even if it’s just once in a while.

Function is one of my bugbears. When people ask me, “But what does it do?” or, “What is it for?” when they first encounter any of my sculptures (Frillip Moolog beings).

My simple answer is, "They just ‘are’."

You wouldn’t ask the same question of a picture on a wall. Art should elicit an emotion, make you ask questions and possibly change your view of the world.

When I spotted these pictures in an office recently I must admit the only thought that sprang to mind was, “Oh my gosh someone actually likes these!”

Other questions we might ask are, “But is that art?”

Garden planters usually have a very simple function.

Sadly, even in the height of summer this Ross on Wye front garden looks BAD!

And definitely no Britain in Bloom prizes for Brierley Hill (see following photo).

I just love the way that these street planters have just been shoved out of the way.

Or maybe this seemingly random arrangement is a piece of art in it’s own right?

Really as they say art is in the eye of the beholder. I could almost argue that this is actually a piece of urban art. I mean it did make me stop, think about it, question my response and photograph it. My reaction has stayed in my memory since that visit to Brierley HIll two years ago.

Some questions I fear will never be answered.

Why is this fence here and what did it used to surround?

Fenced in 'no man's land', Lichfield, Staffordshire.

This gravel arrangement in Birmingham. Does anyone at all think that it has any artistic merit?

My favourite, ‘gate to nowhere’. It always makes me smile. I really think that I would be truly upset if one day someone removed it.

'Gate to No Where', Branston, Burton upon Trent

They say that an Englishman’s home is his castle so of course the castle ‘grounds’ are special too.

In the privacy of your garden why shouldn’t you have a 10 metre high replica of the Eiffel Tower....

...and who says that window boxes should have flowers: what’s wrong with a tiny little box hedge?

Then there’s the added complication when we are given instructions as to what not to do .

A carefully made mound (landscaping feature?) at Legoland Windsor. Hoards of lively kids so why tempt them with a climbing opportunity and then deny them? Are you saying that this mound is a piece of art?

Ce n’est pas une pipe.

NOT an ashtray................. art?

NOT a bin.......................... art?

So really, make your own mind up and react in a way that feels right for you.

Andrew Logan’s gorgeously optimistic 'Pegasus' in Brierley Hill (only a mile or so from the strangely arranged street furniture planters which are also in Brierley Hill) is a great reason to drive round a roundabout more than once.

I love Andrew Logan’s 'Pegasus' (and also his hubcap sunflowers that I started this blog post with).

But for me this street bollard is just as much art.

I like the form and also the sections built around the central element, because in my mind I understand the visual link to my latest sculpture Mi Wawa.

For more on the making of Mi Wawa pop over to my AA2A blog.