On Sunday 17 May 2020 the first of the BBC’s programmes reviewed some previous years’ highlights including the ‘Antithesis to Sarcophogi’ designed and created by Gary Breeze and Martin Cook – both these artists are on the Lettering Arts Trust register. They are renowned for their individual artworks for public and private commissions and together they made a winning combination, indeed winning an the prestigious Best Fresh Garden award for ‘Antithesis to Sarcophogi’ in 2016.

The garden was inspired by enormous granite blocks that Gary had spotted in a stone merchant’s yard some years earlier when he was sourcing the orb for his design for the Bali bombing memorial. The 44 ton block was hollowed out from the interior of the cube before fixing mirrors and planting with miniature conifers so that the reflections created a mirage of a never ending forest stretching into the distance. And, bearing in mind that Gary and Martin are lettering artists as well, an intriguing inscription featuring characters from different alphabets was painted on the back. The garden was sponsored by the Marble & Granite Centre.

The interior of the cube - images by Gary Breeze

Of course, most people don’t have room for a 44 ton rock in their back garden and look for something more modest – and personal. This is where the Lettering Arts Trust can assist, but it helps to know what to consider when planning a garden ornament. The master letter carver Michael Harvey advised Martin Cook, then working for him, that you should ‘always make sure that it serves it function’.

Other things to bear in mind when planning to commission a garden artwork are location, scale and material.

“Materials vary so much. Some weather quickly and whereas a stone table may slowly gather an endearing patina, a sundial needs to remain functional and legible,’ recommends Martin. ‘Choose oak for a garden bench, preferably indigenous to the UK. The grain is compact and it silvers beautifully.”

Slate is a good choice of stone for garden ornaments as it doesn’t green, attract lichen or get mossy. But, of course some people may prefer this naturalising process.

Gary Breeze advocates clarity for positioning artworks in a garden: “It’s really important to make sense of the intended space – and to fit the work and the material to the existing palette in the garden. The piece will gain meaning from the manner in which it is placed. When it comes to scale, works tend to be bigger than you think for the outdoors.’ He goes on to emphasise that garden artworks must serve their purpose. ‘Be clear as to whether the commission is for a sculpture or a particular function, but avoid a hybrid.”

Commissioning an artwork is just that – the outcome is an artwork. The relationship between the client and the artist is special. It is a collaborative process and ideally the client should bring an open mind and offer pointers for the brief so that the artist can respond with their creative interpretation. As Gary says, “I’m not just a chisel for hire!” which is beyond doubt when you have a chance to see the numerous beautiful, individual sculptures he has created and the lettered inscriptions he has composed and cut.

Another award winning garden at Chelsea, winning Silver-Gilt in 2011 was ‘The Poet’s Retreat’ - a literary garden designed and crafted by Martin Cook - and it seems fitting to mention it here too, given the focus of the Lettering Arts Trust. The inspiration for this garden came from Martin’s work with Ian Hamilton Finlay at his garden Little Sparta. It comprised an array of carved elements including an oak gate with limestone pillars featuring lines from Felix Dennis’ ‘The Road Is Made By Working’. Another of his quotes was on a garden bench: ‘be wise, but hide your wisdom well, the world reveres an oyster but not its shell' Slate stepping stones were inscribed with words from Revelations, while a slate water feature referenced Thomas Fuller’s quote, ‘We never know the value of water until the well is dry’. A standing stone with Martin’s poem – a reminder to ‘Enjoy Life’ has proved a popular garden artwork ever since.

Inscriptions enhance the atmosphere in a garden. Amongst the most popular is Dorothy Frances Gurney’s “The Kiss of the sun for pardon, Song of the birds for mirth, You’re closer to God’s heart in a garden, Than any place on earth’.

So please - take inspiration from some of the gardens that have graced the Chelsea Flower Show and admire the skill of the sculptors and letter carvers who add a whole new dimension. You may wish to commission an artwork for yourself. Meanwhile, we can relate to Stanley Crawford’s ‘A Garlic Testament: Seasons on a Small New Mexico Farm’ “To dream a garden and then to plant it is an act of independence and even defiance to the greater world.”

The art of letter carving is a precious heritage craft which is surely worth cultivating.

With thanks to Gary Breeze and to Martin Cook.

Their accomplishments at the Chelsea Flower Show include:

2011: The Literary Garden – RHS Silver Gilt (Martin Cook)

2013: The Mindfulness Garden – RHS Gold Medal (Martin Cook)

2016: The Green Burial Garden – RHS Gold Medal (Gary Breeze)

2016: Antithesis of Sarcophogi- RHS Gold Medal and Chelsea ‘Best Fresh Garden’ (Gary Breeze & Martin Cook)

2017: Broadland Boat Builders Garden – RHS Gold Medal (Gary Breeze)