WILLOW MAGIC illustrated lecture to the Gardeners of North Devon

Combe Martin 8th February 2017

WIll Beckers willow natural form

I was asked to give a sculpture lecture to the Combe Martin Gardening Association on the evening of 8th February 2017. This was a repeat invitation to speak to the club and I decided to look at simplistic 'recyclable' and 'organic' ornaments that the more mature gardener could create to adorn their own plots or allotments. Willow seemed an ideal media to use because its rather versatile and can be easily bent, twisted and cut to make both abstract (the work of Paul Schick and Will Beckers) and recognisable (the work of Heather Jarmusch) organic shapes. We also included drift wood and seashells for extra excitement. 

Paul Schick willow panels

Sally Meadows 'Ethel'

There was a sea of familiar weathered faces many of whom I remembered from my previous visit and although a cold night a large green fingered throng had turned up for my repeat performance. My slideshow presentation depicted a range of eclectic willow sculptures ranging from the fantastic to the mundane - Willow artist Sally Meadows from Bristol University Botanic Gardens amazing Rhea 'Ethel' caused a ripple of applause through the crowd.
http://universityofbristolbotanicgarden.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/weaving-ethel.html

Lyn's Box sculpture

Rod's 'Elton John'

Jenny with Extreme Dart Flights

The gardeners appeared to be inspired by the slides and following the talk attacked their willow twigs with gusto - scissors, string and tape flying in all directions. Considering we only had two hours for the workshop some fabulous sculptures were produced. Here are some of their creations, with 'Lyn's Box' winning the prize for the best sculpture of the night. Surreal prize went to the 'extreme dart flights' and Rod's 'Elton John' tribute.

It was a pleasure to return to Combe Martin and inspire the gardeners, although a friend has now described me as the Keith Richard of the West Country art scene so I would like to point out that, yes, I have played at Glastonbury and we both have heads, but that is where the similarity ends.