Herbarium - a collection of preserved plant specimens. These specimens may be whole plants or plant parts: they will usually be in a dried form mounted on a sheet but, depending upon the material, may also be kept in alcohol or other preservative.
Lytes Cary Manor is a very intimate Medieval House whose owner Henry Lyte translated one of the first Herbal Remedies Manual, Niewe Herball in 1578 from the Dutch the Cruydeboeck (of Rembert Dodoens, Antwerp, 1564) and dedicated it to Elizabeth I.
As the wonderful Arts and Crafts gardens surrounding the house form such an important element of the overall design we have commissioned four highly acclaimed artists to enhance the beautiful gardens through the inspiration of the Niewe Herball recreated in their work.
The artists include: Gary Breeze, Alison Crowther, Malcolm Martin & Gaynor Dowling, and AnneMarie O’Sullivan & Tom McWalter. Design duo Studio Boo will run a number of education and creative workshops during the exhibition.
The exhibition curated by Yvonna Demczynska FLOW Gallery will showcase contemporary craft: makers, skills, materials and thinking in the context of the site and subject ‘Herbarium’. Aims to meet the aspiration of Somerset Art Works to ‘inspire and challenge’ audiences and ‘raise’ the quality of craft seen in Somerset.
Alison Crowther uses English Oak for her extraordinary sculptures some of which are functional seats and benches. Crowther will create an installation of 12 small pieces in the courtyard, each inspired by a different plant within the 'Niewe Herball'.
Gary Breeze will create small white marble and oak carvings are inspired by the classical allusion common to 17th century gardens. Henry Lyte believed, like many scholars of his day, that the British were descended from the Trojans.
Malcolm Martin & Gaynor Dowling create works that express the central role of the hand and of hand tools, primarily through wood carving. They will create a series of outdoor ‘still life’ groups that use the principal view from the house. Drawing on the design elements of the garden to create groups of vessels that form 'landscapes within a landscape'.
Annemarie O’Sullivan using locally sourced willow, will create some sculptural works which people can move through or get into. They will reflect the rich history of Lytes Cary and its herbarium.
Commissioned by Somerset Art Works
Curated by Yvonna Demczynska FLOW Gallery
Hosted by the National Trust
Funded by Arts Council England, South Somerset District Council, Somerset InspirED
Lytes Cary Manor House
Alison Crowther
AnneMarie O’Sullivan & Tom McWalter.
Malcolm Martin & Gaynor Dowling
Gary Breeze