(Ad)dressing the Garden
This was a partnership project with Coventry Carers Centre and The Herbert (Art Gallery & Museum) as part of the Kenilworth Castle Elizabethan Gardens Project, which includes archaeological excavation and the restoration of the Elizabethan garden.
Working with a renowned Birmingham jeweller and metal worker, ten members of the Milan Asian Carers group have created a touring craft exhibition using Kenilworth Castle’s garden design and garden heritage as inspiration. Their design work has been influenced by historical records of the Elizabethan garden as well as personal experiences, memories, culture, heritage and their own gardens.
The group of participants visited traditional gardens within the West Midlands including Kenilworth Castle, Baddesley Clinton and Packwood House to learn about British garden design and historic gardens. They also took part in a series of workshops, learning new skills and techniques such as metal pressing, flower cutting, as well using more traditional craft skills such as embroidery. During the workshops this group of carers also expressed how they felt about caring for someone and this was included in the final artwork.
Feedback from the participants include:
“It’s improved my confidence, I feel like I am going to do something professional and get some skills”
“Learnt many new things, chance to share and see ideas and learn about different cultures too”
“Everyone excited each week thinking what will we do next. We are using our brain, all our senses to do this new thing. All of us housewives, not professionals, and if we have done something special – it is a good thing.”
The final piece which includes their work is laid out on a table top exhibition in an Elizabethan garden design. It will tour local venues in Coventry and Kenilworth.
Please contact Suzanne Carter, Outreach Officer for the West Midlands for more detail on 0121 6256870 or suzanne.carter@english-heritage.org.uk
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