Thinking big at RHS Chelsea

RHS Chelsea Flower Show is the best in the world, a show where designers push the boundaries – but when it comes to garden sculpture, Adrian Gray’s gravity-defying stone balancing work is not for the faint-hearted

Demand for unusual and puzzling sculptures continues to grow with clients increasingly wanting to use local stone or rock from their own land.

Sculptor Adrian Gray, described by Channel 4’s Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud as ‘the stone whisperer’, says his work is collected by art lovers seeking sculpture that is both distinctive and a conversation piece. 

When using local rock, sometimes from a client’s own land, Adrian’s monumental sculptures can blend seamlessly into the surroundings.

Adrian, who has exhibited at RHS Chelsea Flower Show for a decade, is this year pushing the limits with a sculpture called ‘Trident’ that is the first to balance three boulders at RHS Chelsea. A second sculpture ‘Crazy for You’ is on display with the smallest point of balance of any of his large sculptures.

He said: “The strongest appeal for clients lies in how my sculptures defy belief. The sculpture can evoke a deep emotional response because the suspension of giant boulders, balanced as if by a thread, is majestic and isn’t a feeling that is lost over time.”

Adrian, who has spent almost 25 years honing his artform, says his sculptures are even more pleasing with age because they evolve naturally over time developing a patina and sometimes supporting mosses and plants to become part of the environment.

So how does Adrian’s work defy gravity?

He said: “It's listening with your fingers, and when the stone does find that point of balance it feels really light in your fingers, it's a wonderful feeling.”

The siting of a huge sculpture depends very much on the setting and Adrian says: “A single sculpture in the approach to a property can build a powerful sense of expectation and excitement around the residence or for long, straight driveways two sculptures which share a theme can be used, providing a natural yet interesting symmetry.

“Setting a piece back from an entrance or house, leads the eye into the grounds and accentuates the depth and scale of the wider landscape. When grounds are expansive, a sculpture tucked away from the main property can also provide an additional focal point to be stumbled upon.

“A sculpture alone on a lawn or field is emphasised by the blank canvas around it. As an artist I love this type of siting, as the sculpture can be admired in all its glory without distraction.

“Some clients want a monumental piece sited close to their property and I find the striking visual impact of giant boulders works well with both contemporary and traditional architecture.”

(Image: A sculpture sits well in Ibiza)

Choosing materials

Integral to each sculpture is the form and composition of two or three stones. Adrian spends a great deal of time in the selection process, choosing rocks for their sculptural elements and unique shapes.

He said: "I am drawn to naturally weathered stones, moulded over the millennia by wind and rain. I can spend days at the selection stage, pairing them in my head in different orientations, trying to envisage an improbable composition. The rocks can weigh up to eight tonnes so lots of big kit is involved! “Although I have been at this for many years now, the job of selecting the stones, strapping, balancing and finally making a safe sculpture cannot be rushed. My aim is to amplify a sense of wonder in the viewer – the puzzling nature of my pieces offers a moment of escapism and wonder.” As well as RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Adrian’s permanent sculptures can be seen at RHS Rosemoor and RHS Wisley. See Adrian create his three-boulder piece Trident here or visit RHS Chelsea stand 230. Visit stonebalancing.com

Insurance advice

If you’re thinking of adding a new piece of sculpture to your garden, it’s important to insure it correctly. Specialist items such as statues, sculptures and other garden items, particularly if they are of high value, may need to treated as fine art and not simply included under the general contents figure. For more advice please read our article: Garden Insurance: Protecting your plants, trees and outdoor structures
 
If you’re looking for inspiration to enhance a particular space then read our articles: 

• A hilltop for my £10 million fairy
  
• Inspiration to put garden sculpture in the spotlight
  
• Take the plunge into wonderful water gardens

Or alternatively you can visit or library on all things garden related.

To speak to us about you home and garden insurance call 020 8256 4901 or email privateclients@howdeninsurance.co.uk