Roberta Perkins In The Garden

IN THE GARDEN

The Ardens

Arden Artists

This gallery of images by Roberta Perkins features photographs of gardens in the Ardens with quotes from the gardeners themselves. Many of these photos and quotes were first exhibited at the Backstage Gallery of Gild Hall during the Arden Club's 96th Arden Fair on August 30, 2003. That exhibit, curated by Sadie Somerville, also featured the work of David McClintock and Danny Schweers.

ARTIST'S STATEMENT:

On my walks about the Ardens, I can’t help but observe the abundance of gardens. I began asking the caretakers of these spaces for permission to occasionally photograph in them. During these talks, people told me some wonderful and funny stories. It was not until I was asked to participate in the Arden Fair Art Show that I thought of combining excerpts from these talks with photographs.

Gardens are magical and fun. They are places of art created with love and care by “garden artists”. With these images, I express my interpretation of these works of art. Because a garden is such a personal creation, I wanted to do more than just give you my interpretation of a plant, a bush, or a flowerbed. It was important, to me, that you experience not only my view, but also that of the gardener. So, as you view the gardens, as seen through my eyes and my camera lens, enjoy excerpts from conversations with the gardeners and “listen” to their thoughts on what the gardening experience is to them.

The “In the Garden” project is on going. My desire is to continue the conversations with gardeners in the Ardens and to photograph their gardens.

--Roberta Perkins