Art allotment opens at RHS Tatton

CAULIFLOWERS, cabbages and runner beans all feature in the Manchester School of Art allotment at RHS Tatton – but don’t try to pick any for your dinner.

Because the vegetables “growing” in the plot are made from wool, thread and clay and are part of the School’s first exhibition at the annual flower show.

There are also some “living” inhabitants of the garden, including a hive with porcelain bees, metal and stone birds and tiny origami frogs.

Among the ceramic cabbages grow elegant glass and steel grasses, while the gardening gloves hanging on the wall have taken on a life of their own – they are growing cress!

Scaring the crows

Any allotment needs a scarecrow, and the Art School’s is no different – Liz Wheeldon-Wyatt has created a Kubeiko or “Box Scarecrow”. The Kubeiko is the oldest-known scarecrow, and was described in a Japanese book dating back to 712AD.

Also on display are sprouting plants made from recycled drinks cans, dancing daffodils an enormous earthworm and a “compost heap” of waste materials from the making processes.

The School was invited to create a piece by the organisers of the show and hit on the idea of an allotment as many of the staff are keen gardeners.

It was then announced that this year’s flower show would feature a section on Great British Allotments - which meant their idea was a perfect fit.

Celebrating “making”

Jane McFadyen, a principal lecturer in the School of Art and one of the main organisers of the project, said: “We have created an exhibition celebrating what we love and do best, making!

“We have used beds and sheds in the way we would normally use plinths, frames and showcases.

“In the tradition of allotment holding what you will see is a work still in progress, bringing together an eclectic mix of works and an on-going debate on the best way to create that prize winning cabbage.”

The artists have created a blog, documenting the journey of the allotment, which can be viewed at www.tattonallotment.blogspot.com.

Fashion show

A fashion show of work created by students studying BA (Hons) Fashion will take place on Tatton Ladies’ Day, Friday 26 July.

RHS Tatton runs from July 25 to July 28.