York Museum Gardens
The brief for this commission was to interpret the character, history and atmosphere of York Museum Gardens through a single ceramic form.
Rather than producing a literal representation, the intention was to distill key elements of the Garden into texture, form and symbolism, allowing the piece to evoke rather than replicate the site.
The ceramic piece brings together natural, architectural and historical reference found within the Gardens. Five faces of the piece each focus on a specific element of the Gardens, creating a narrative that can be viewed as the form is turned.
Each decorative element has been carefully chosen to reflect a specific aspect of the site:
Snowdrops – symbolizing seasonal change and renewal
Trees – representing growth, age and continuity
Mosaic textures – referencing Roman influence and the geological map of Yorkshire
Yorkshire Rose – a symbol of place and identity
The arches of St Mary’s Abbey – once one of the wealthiest and most powerful Benedictine monasteries in England
The statues found buried in the Gardens – suggesting layers of hidden history
The crosses on the tower – linking historical and religious significance
Together these elements create a single piece that reflects the history, nature and character of the Garden in a contemporary ceramic form.
