Creation Installed in Oldtown of Leys Garden, Inverness

At this time of year, when gardens are at their most inspiring, it’s always rewarding to see how sculpture and planting can work together harmoniously.

This 120 cm (4 ft) stacked slate sculpture, Creation , was commissioned specifically for the remarkable Oldtown of Leys Garden near Inverness by Anne and David Sutherland.

Created from individually shaped pieces of heather, green and black slate, each layer was carefully worked and stacked by hand in the workshop before being transported and installed on site. The subtle variation in colour within the slate becomes increasingly important at this scale, bringing depth, texture and movement to the finished sculpture.

The choice of location and materials was considered closely with the clients throughout the commission process. Particular attention was given to the sculpture’s setting within the landscape, including the selection of the base stone itself - a naturally weathered piece of pink granite discovered in a nearby field. Very little alteration was made to the stone, allowing its natural character, lichen and moss to remain intact so that the sculpture immediately felt at home within the garden.

Like much of my work, Creation draws inspiration from nature and organic growth, with soft curves and flowing transitions that sit comfortably within the surrounding landscape rather than dominating it.

Oldtown of Leys Gardens is open to the public at selected times throughout the year. https://scotlandsgardens.org/oldtown-of-leys-garden/