How does your Garden Grow?

We are the fabric botanists. 

We invite you to explore our textile garden propagated by recycling our collection of eclectic materials, kept from landfill and now crafted into new species. Each plant is a collection of stories and moments in time.  

We are inspired by the JOY of multiples, repeat patterns and never ending surprises found in nature. By celebrating the materials around us, this is how our garden grows - With mirror balls and neon whirls, And pretty leaves all in a row.

This botanical installation made possible by Arts Council England (in our first ever project grant, whoop!!!) has allowed us to collaborate with other artists in its propagation.  The piece has been created with fellow fabric botanist Abeda Begum, with contributions from Alex, Anne, Barbara, Carole, Debbie, Dianne, Holly, Josephine, Jotie, Julie, Kirsty, Marianne, Natalie, Norma, Patricia, Philippa, Rachel, Rebecca, Sandra, Sindhu, Sofie, Steve, Susan and Veronica who joined us in the studio as assistant fabric botanists during open studio sessions.

Gemma Costin has scented the fabric botanics (find out more) and Ashley James Brown has composed a soundscape (find out more). This artwork awakens the senses by inviting connection to the natural world.

Each plant is part of an existing genus from which we drew inspiration from nature, then given a species and common name inspired by the materials that make up it's structure. 

‘Scarf plant’
[Strelitzia]
S. donum amissum

Cultivated from: The Lost Gift, Coventry Moves, Shoot Festival, Christmas

‘Pop’
[Medicago]
M. audax spiritus

Cultivated from: GROW, Coventry Moves 

‘Ode to costumes’
[Heliconia]
H. memoriam celebrantes

Cultivated from: Butterfly backpacks, flower corsets, Carnival, Contains Strong Language 

‘Disco Trumpets’
[Brugmansia]
B. saltare simul

Cultivated from: Birmingham Commonwealth Games, various sparkly party nights

Exhibitiing at The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum 19 July - 22 September 2024

Images: Joe Bailey | fivesixphotography