By Jez Clark
Last week saw the annual Tamborine Mountain Arts Trail.
Here at our design studio at Chalk House, we joined the 35 unique venues hosting local artists and enjoyed seeing so many works exhibited in our garden.
So, this week I decided to take a quick detour from the usual design tips to focus on art in the garden.
Choosing art can be really challenging.
I have seen a lot of incongruous sculptures in my time as a designer, so here are some key things to consider if you want sculptures that enhance rather than overwhelm the garden.
Artworks must be in harmony with their surroundings.
A small sculpture can get lost in a large space, while an oversized piece might dominate a more intimate garden. Consider the scale of both the garden and your home.
A traditional cottage garden may suit a well detailed ceramic piece, whereas a contemporary garden might lend itself to bold, large-scale architectural sculpture.
Art should resonate with the overall style of the garden. For instance, a modern minimalist garden might suit abstract sculptures made of steel or polished stone. Whereas a classic English garden would benefit from romantic or figurative pieces. Wildlife gardens will harmonise with naturalistic wooden carvings and stone monoliths. Consistency in tone ensures the sculpture enhances the experience rather than feeling like an afterthought.
Sculpture works best when it’s thoughtfully placed.
Consider sight lines from key parts of the house, a terrace, or at the end of a path.
Framing through planting or hedging can create a sense of discovery.
Use sculptures as focal points that draw the eye, break up space, or lead visitors through the garden.
Avoid cluttering, one well-placed piece often has more impact than several scattered randomly.
Art in the garden doesn’t always need to be bold or dominant, it can be subtle, almost secretive, emerging naturally from the planting as if it belongs there.
When sculptures are partially obscured, they invite closer inspection and spark curiosity.
Such integration blurs the line between the natural and the crafted, allowing art to feel like a discovery rather than a statement.
The interplay between soft, living textures and the permanence of stone, metal, or wood often heightens the presence of both.
A well-placed sculpture can feel like a forgotten relic, a secret symbol, or a hidden story waiting to be told, enriching the garden’s atmosphere and deepening its emotional resonance.
Visit Clark+Granger at www.cplusg.com.au or phone 0456 111 120 to find out more.
