The Talitha Arts Garden
Gold Medal, Best in Show - RHS Chelsea 2023
The Narrative
We designed this garden for Talitha Arts - a charity that uses the integrative arts to bring about transformation in the lives of those who have suffered trauma. The garden is a celebration of the creative arts and their therapeutic power to restore lives and was generously funded by Project Giving Back, constructed and relocated by Landcraft.
The garden is a planted canvas; a living installation that speaks of restoration through creativity. You will see 250 handmade white porcelain butterflies, created by Japanese artist Naoko Tagai, pour from a large sculpted chrysalis, made by Norfolk-based stone carver Teucer Wilson. This illustrates the sanctuary that Talitha Arts provides, and the transformational power of their creative workshops. The garden unites sculpture, performance and planting - representing the wide spectrum of therapeutic arts. A minimalist palette of two main colours conveys the delicate moment between darkness (trauma) and light (transformation). Textural planting reflects the depth and complexity of trauma.
Sculpture alongside performance ignites the stage to convey the simple message that the creative arts have the power to transform lives.
Relocation
St. Margaret’s House, Bethnal Green
You can now visit the garden in its permanent location at St. Margaret’s House in Bethnal Green - a centre for arts and wellbeing opportunities, working with communities and charities to come together to promote positive social change.
Talitha Arts base many of their activities in this venue, and will continue to use the Chelsea garden for outreach, performance and fundraising. The garden is located in the grounds of the cafe - open to the community, providing a space for residents to eat, shop, learn, create, and enjoy a diverse cultural program.
Free tours are available by appointment.
Please contact St. Margaret’s House using the link below.