The Winding Garden at RHS Chatsworth 2018

Artist Rachel Carter and Ilkeston’s Community Champion Kerry Wheatley, are submitting plans to create a show garden at the prestigious RHS Chatsworth 2018. 

Description of garden

The Winding Garden has at it's heart a large hand made cast bronze sculpture as the central feature of the garden, surrounded by rolling hills of British wild flowers. The sculpture and garden takes inspiration from the country side and industrial heritage of Derbyshire, the birth place of the artist Rachel Carter, who is also the designer of the garden.  The artists studio is in an old lace making factory in South of the county where the rolling Derbyshire hills have given way to heavy industry. This year marks ten years of professional practice for the artist and this will be celebrated by donating the entire garden and sculpture to a location in Ilkeston, near Shed 2 Studios where the artist practice is based.

Crowdfunding

The pair are due to launch a Crowdfunding campaign on the 1st May to allow people to get involved with their project and support their plans. Pledgers can choose the level of donation they are comfortable with and receive a number of rewards as thanks for their contribution. 

There are a number of levels for you to get involved starting as little as £10, with a range of perks:

£10 Pledge

• A thank you from us on our website and social media
• Your name listed on our webpage celebrating your donation
• An invite to the unveiling event in Ilkeston

£20 Pledge 

• A huge thank you from us on our website and social media
• Your name listed on our webpage celebrating your donation
• An invite to the unveiling event in Ilkeston
• Plus, entry into our prize draw to win a pair of tickets to RHS Chatsworth 2018 

£50 Pledge

• A massive thank you from us on our website and social media
• Your name listed on our webpage celebrating your donation
• An invite to the unveiling event in Ilkeston
• Entry into our prize draw to win a pair of tickets to RHS Chatsworth 2018
• Plus, a set of limited editions postcard prints

Corporate Pledge £3000+ 

• Much gratitude for your support
• Many thank you’s on social media as a show garden sponsor
• Your company name and logo featured prominently on our webpage with web link celebrating your donation
• Featured within the show guide which includes; a full page spread, including editorial, illustration and sponsor details.
• Featured within the local and national press releases
• Show garden featured on the RHS website which includes; Full web page including editorial, illustration and link to web page showing list of sponsors.
• Featured within the show garden leaflet, approx run of 10,000
• A pair of complimentary tickets for one of the RHS Chatsworth show days
• An invite to the unveiling event in Ilkeston
• Plus, a Bronze Sculpture from the artist, mounted on a plinth with brass plaque. 

About the Artist

Rachel Carter creates woven sculptural pieces that demand a second look - and touch - from the viewer. The organic shapes are not crafted from willow as they appear, but using a method with wax the artist has developed to create the swirling, spherical monuments in Bronze.

Fluid shapes and geometric patterns found in nature have been translated through Carter’s signature swirling weave using a range of techniques including crochet, basketry and macrame. The methods the artist once used with willow are now immortalised in breath-taking bronze; her unique process ensuring that every creation is an original, one-off piece.

In fact, in 2013 Carter became the first artist to weave in wax to create bronze sculptures using her wax method. Originally exhibited at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the first bronze piece can now be seen sitting within the Derwent Valley. Since then Rachel has been developing the wax weaving method further, experimenting with new resistant materials and methods of casting - that in some cases have not been used for thousands of years - to push the craft as far as it can go.