Figurative Sculptures by Ann
Linnemann - Denmark
Robin has been an avid gardener since
his late teenage years and a long-term goal was the development of
beautiful garden that would also be a source of ideas for his clay
work. The current 2.5 acre “ANGLOJAPANADIAN”
garden was started over 30 years ago on a beautiful country
property, West of Victoria, amongst a significant stand of first
growth Douglas fir and other indigenous trees.
The design of the garden is based on the five basic forms of
Japanese garden, STROLL,
SCROLL,
TEA,
ZEN
and COURTYARD.
In Japan, the largest form of garden for strolling in was developed
about 300 years ago for the Chiefs of the Samurai Warrior class.
They were often storytelling gardens outlining the exploits of the
owner, or places that he had been or imagined. With a climate and
landscape often reminiscent of Japan and both Robin and Judi having
a great love of Japanese culture, the garden has come to represent
the journey of life and places been. It is not intended to be a
Japanese garden, but borrows greatly from Japanese garden history
and concepts. It features a wide range of oriental plants, such as
Japanese maples, rhododendrons, azaleas, hydrangeas, enkianthus,
viburnums, cherries, magnolias, clematis, iris, ferns, hostas and
many others. With our mild climate, the garden has something in
bloom at all times of the year, although in mid-winter you may have
to search for them on your hands and knees!
A variety of garden details are present including ponds, bogs,
grasslands, woodlands, sculpture, orchard and paved areas, much of
which also has touches of humour and whimsy. This is a throwback to
Robin’s roots in England where humour has had a strong
traditional presence in gardens. The development of the garden has
been an extensive collaboration with many other artists and
artisans. It has been featured in many books, magazines and
television programs.