"Child prodigy is a curse because you've got all those terrible possibilities"
- Itzhak Perlman
They say that it's a sad day when a father realises that his children are faster/ stronger/ smarter than they are. I wholeheartedly disagree. Fully cognisant as I am of my own limitations, I think it's fantastic when the next generation show signs of progressing past my own (if you ever need to understand how a mobile phone works just give it to a 10 year old).
At Marshall Murray one of our stated aims is to bring on and nurture the future of British artists and designers. We shall be running exhibitions of fresh talent at various upcoming exhibitions, running competitions to gain entry to some of the country's most respected shows and helping artists and artisans to find studio space and a platform through our collaboration with Riverhill Gardens. Well, here's a really fun example of what kids can do if given a voice.
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Max's beautiful layout and simple design |
We recently set a challenge to the design department at Trinity School (www.trinity-school.org/) to design one of our six mini-gardens at the Hampton Court Flower Show. The students were given some examples of the sculpture that we would be showing, and the brief was to create a 2x2m space with their chosen piece and then dressed how they saw fit.
The responses were simply genius.
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"In my garden I have built a viewing point, installed a vending machine and put in some roses"
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Julian Wild's "Totem", picked by Luke |
Water and simple planting accent the grass ledges. This would have worked really well with the industrial artwork by Julian Wild. The school have plans to build this design in miniature, which I'm really looking forward to seeing. Amazing facilities at that school, I was impressed with my DT's department having a bandsaw - this lot have 3D printers and access to some amazing bits of kits.
The winning entry was from Euan Baird, who detailed a simple rosemary hedge that would compliment the tones of the stone wonderfully, plus an interesting take on a viewing platform to see the marble piece (by Paul VanStone) from various heights.
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Special mention also goes to Josh Kenny, his planting plan and mood board were excellent examples.
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Euan's chosen sculpture in Iranian onyx |
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Josh Kenny's elegant planting design. |
We are also doing a similar exercise with a primary school in Frant - they have been set the challenge of replicating any of our artworks in any material they so choose. The results will doubtless be equal part inspiring and adorable, so watch this space!
Yours,
Marshall Murray
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