Enchanting snapshots capture the mesmerizing allure of an idyllic English garden
Experience the serene beauty and emotional connection of an English country garden through tender photos captured by acclaimed British photographer Siân Davey Step beyond traditional depictions and immerse yourself in a world of unstructured charm, where nature's embrace becomes an antidote to loneliness
Photographer Siân Davey aimed to break away from the conventional portrayal of an English garden in her latest portrait series, titled "The Garden." Rejecting a saccharine and nostalgic depiction, Davey described her work as an intense, process-oriented, heartfelt, and deliberate project.
"Family" (2021). Davey's garden, the backdrop for the series, became a sanctuary during coronavirus lockdown mandates in the UK.
Sian Davey, in an interview with CNN, shared that The Gardens was established in February 2021, during the post-lockdown time when everything seemed stagnant. Sitting at her kitchen table in Devon, southwest England, Davey was inspired by her son Luke's suggestion to convert their neglected backyard into an enchanting garden adorned with flowers. The purpose was for Davey to capture captivating photographs of locals, family, and friends.
Davey explained that the garden provided a space for people to transition from their thoughts to their feelings, leading to the revealing of remarkable personal stories.
"Mother and Child" (2022). The photo series was shot between 2021 and 2023.
Siân Davey's photograph titled "The Garden" has been nominated for the Prix Pictet, a prestigious international photography prize that celebrates work related to sustainability. The theme of this year's tenth edition is Human, and the shortlist consists of 12 photographers representing 11 different countries. The announcement of the winner will take place on September 28.
Alive with 13,000 orchids floating in the air, this garden is truly unique. The theme strikes a chord with Davey, who has a background in psychotherapy. She fondly remembers a week in the summer of 2021 when the flowers blossomed, catching the eye of onlookers who had witnessed the garden's growth over time. It became a hub for conversations. Davey's intention was for people to not only step into the garden and have their pictures taken, but also to reconnect with themselves and the surrounding environment. She described it as a special blend of human connection and nature's beauty.
An antidote to loneliness
Davey's work is characterized by a strong emphasis on personal narratives. In her 2015 publication "Looking for Alice," she delves into the formative years of her daughter who was born with Downs syndrome. Continuing her exploration of human stories, her second book "Martha," released in 2018, centers around another one of her four children.
"Roland in the Flowers" (2022). The intimate portraits subvert the expectations of an English country garden.
Davey and her son approached the project with emphasis on intention and process, not just photography. They planted their garden in alignment with a sustainable biodynamic calendar, seeing the Earth as a interconnected organism. By following the moon cycles of the northern hemisphere, they prioritized flowers that supported pollinators.
Powerful images captured from an environmental photography prize showcase both the challenges and the hopeful aspects of our world. The garden's plants and flowers were meticulously studied, but Davey fondly remembers her son engaging in a form of "anarchic gardening" to densely populate the limited area. The goal was to craft a garden that would envelop visitors, allowing them to momentarily transcend their own identities. This exploration of space proved to be captivating and thought-provoking.
"Friends" (2022) by Davey. The photo series was shot in the garden of her rented home in Devon.
Siân Davey's content fragment
Capturing the essence of space, Siân Davey's content fragment emphasizes the significance of her garden being a vital part of her rented family home, which is located within the esteemed estate of Dartington Hall in Devon, dating back to the 14th century. Davey highlights the importance of this aspect, stating that it allows anyone to engage in similar endeavors, regardless of whether they own land or property.
Davey concluded her involvement with the series in early September 2023, marking the end of three consecutive summers dedicated to tending the garden. This project holds significance for her as it reflects a specific time frame during which numerous individuals experienced isolation, loneliness, and detachment due to the pandemic. However, alongside the prevailing sense of fragmentation and solitude, she also observed a heightened appreciation for the natural world among society.
"Leaving the Garden" (2022) by Siân Davey. The series encapsulates a unique period wherein humanity, amidst the constraints of COVID-19, experienced a deeper bond with the natural world. Photographs courtesy of Siân Davey and exhibited at the Michael Hoppen Gallery in London.
Creating the garden, in both tangible form and as a photographic venture, has fostered a profound connection between the individuals captured in the photographs and the natural world.
Has this endeavor of establishing a garden transformed Davey's personal affinity towards nature? "Without a doubt," she affirmed. "Nature possesses its own life force, and it has demonstrated to me that by remaining attentive, inquisitive, and engaged, it can serve as my guide. Nature possesses healing abilities, yet its healing powers remain latent unless we lend an ear."
Editors Note: The Garden is on display as part of Prix Pictet: Human at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, from 29 September until 22 October 2023.
