June 11th: What are the most memorable works of art you’ve seen so far?
Growing up, I was all about the Impressionists. The fluid, floaty, transitory nature of Monet’s pieces took me on a journey. Throw in Debussy’s ‘Clair de Lune’ as a soundtrack and I was lost in my own little world of twinkles on reflective ripples of water.
My days at university were framed by Modernism — studying Modernist literature gave me a new appreciation of the visual abstract perspectives of that era.
Fast forward almost a decade to my first date with my husband. He took me to Shoreditch in London, to give me a street art tour. Who knew that several years later, not only would we be married, but our walls would be covered in art that many would consider rooted in vandalism. Personally, I love the stories they tell.
But the art that stops me in my tracks, sends a shiver of joy to my heart, and invites me to take a long deep breath, is all around me. The glow of a sunset, the birds exploring the garden, the stillness of a mirrored lake in the summertime.
I visited The Savill Garden last weekend — it’s somewhere we go regularly for coffee and a weekend wander with our miniature human. It’s part of Windsor Great Park, almost 100 years old, and is a stunning place to lose yourself for a few hours. Or find yourself perhaps.
I usually soak in my surroundings without feeling the need to capture them, choosing to absorb memories through being in the moment rather than collecting snapshots through my camera. But this visit was different — I wanted to collect it all, gather evidence of what was before me, bottle it all up and take it home.
On this particular Sunday morning, it was just after a rainstorm. We had most of the gardens to ourselves and it felt like the world was just waking up. Ducks approached us curiously, as if sharing in the wonder, welcoming us to their paradise.
Words cannot convey the sound of the birdsong. So many different birds, all intertwined perfectly. Enveloped by sound. An ornithological orchestra, weaving its symphony of song through the trees.
Usually, I meander around the garden with little interaction with the plants and flowers. But not on this day. Perhaps it was the rain-soaked ground inviting me to explore closer, deeper.
With 2500 roses in the rose garden, this makes for a spectacular sight. But for me, it was all about the smell. Taking a moment to stand amongst them, I breathed. Long and deep. I got up close and personal with these roses, delving into their delicate petals, inhaling their individual magic. Each rose had its own olfactory song to sing. Its own note to add to the bouquet.
Waves of grasses softly swept along the edges of the lawns, impossible not to run your fingers across, caressing their feathery curves. An invitation to linger… to pause.
As much as the photographs are lovely, they can’t pull you into my shoes at that moment. Being there was sensory. It enticed me, and invited me to not only see its beauty, but listen to it, smell it, touch it. It was spectacular.
Key Message: Spend time in nature and experience immersive art at its finest.
