Precious is a new art work installation constructed from hundreds of flowers, leaves, cones, fruits, bulbs, grasses and roots gathered from Leicester and its countryside.
Precious presents the familiar flora of city, park, garden and countryside in a new form. Walk, sit or lie underneath the ‘Hanging Garden’ listen for its secret sounds and consider the extraordinariness of the everyday.
Precious is a sculptural portrait of the plants that surround us through the seasons – their changing beauty, their fragility and their persistence.
Created and designed by Jasia McArdle and Ellen Bianchini. Soundscape by Andrew Hill.
Children and families are welcome – drawing materials and some interactive activities will be available in the gallery during the exhibition. See workshop details below.
Jasia McArdle is a sculptor, photographer and community artist who has pecialised in public art for 25 years. She is currently completing a 2 year National Diploma in contemporary floristry, which has given her new techniques in constructing complex 3D art works.
Ellen Bianchini founded The Spark Children’s Arts Festival in 2003 and was Director until September 2011. Since then she has embarked on a Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design, studying systems of natural sustainability in a process that encourages, amongst other things, ‘maximum observation’. She volunteers in a primary school and on conservation projects, as well as with a Community Supported Agriculture scheme. As well as developing new ‘hands on’ practical skills. she is also maintaining arts leadership skills with consultancies for The Mighty Creatives (on developing a local curriculum in Leicester) and for Performing Arts Leicester’s new cultural leadership course.
THE POWER OF FLOWERS
Workshops for children and families
Saturday 26 April, 12 – 4pm
Pattern shape line: make a mobile
inspired by nature.
Suitable for 4+ years.
Drop-in workshop, no need to book.
Monday 28 April – Friday 2 May, 11 – 12pm
Miniature gardens for small people: make a
miniature garden to take home.
Suitable for 4+ years.
Booking essential – please email jasia@jasia-spirit.co.uk to book a place.
Please note: all children attending these workshops must be accompanied by an adult.
Artists’ talk – the creators of the exhibition talk about the making and installation of the show, 7-8pm on Tuesday 6th May – places are limited, book at Eventbrite.
Presented in association with
The Spark Arts for Children
Special thanks to: Kerry Morrison In-Situ Environment Artist, & Caroline Billson Floral Artist
Brooksby Melton College, Horticulture & Management, Floristry Department.
