Outdoor artworks
Award-winning sculptor Andrew Kay shares some top tips for adding art to your garden, and how to look after it
The past year has given many of us the opportunity to appreciate our gardens like never before. They’ve provided us with much-needed sanctuary, enabling us to connect with nature and, as importantly, with friends we weren’t permitted to see inside.
If you’re anticipating spending just as much time in your garden this year and want to add more than plants, ornamental ponds and decking, then investing in sculpture could be the next step.
Garden sculpture has fdc traditionally been quite polarised, with classical gods sitting at one end and comedic gnomes at the other. But now choice abounds, with beautiful pieces to suit every taste, budget and landscape. If you’re a complete novice, start by familiarising yourself with what’s available, advises award-winning sculptor Andrew Kay, whose exquisite hand-forged wildlife artworks have been bought by collectors and public institutions the world over.
“Look in garden centres, sculpture parks, galleries and online, to get a feel for what appeals to you. Do you like stone, marble or steel? When you’re ready to buy, choose a strong piece that will work well on its own or as a group — because you might wish to add to your collection in the future — and keep the dimensions of your garden in mind.
“Think of how you’ll use the sculpture — is it purely for aesthetic interests to add interest, or to act as a divider between one area of your garden and the next.”
How you look after your sculpture will depend on what it’s made of. Lichen loves stone, for example, and the best way to clean this, according to the National Trust, is with a gentle poultice containing biocide.
If that doesn’t appeal, opt for something made from a low- or no-maintenance material. “I use solid mild steel, which requires no care at all” says Andrew. “It ages beautifully, gradually developing a uniform, ochre patina that’s extremely attractive.”
Garden sculpture has traditionally been quite polarised, with classical gods sitting at one end and comedic gnomes at the other