Imagine visiting a garden that was forgotten and was left untouched for about 75 years, and nature has taken over almost everything there in an artistic way, making everything look as beautiful as it can, and very raw at the same time!
The Lost Gardens of Heligan is one such garden in United Kingdom’s Cornwall. The place was revamped after it got rediscovered in 1990s, and immediately became one of the favourite spots for people around.
The major attractions in the Lost Gardens of Heligan are the two distinct sculptures that were created by two artists related by blood as brother and sister – Sue and Pete Hill. These sculptures made out of mud, rocks and plans have since become the emblems of this now-renowned park.
The two sculptures – one known as The Giant’s Head and another as the Mud Maid – were made in 1997 and are charismatic in their own way, for these showcase nature’s artistry at its best, thereby giving each sculpture an altogether different look and emotion in every season.
The Mud Maid
The sculpture “Mud Maid” was initially called a “mermaid”, but was later given its name as its tail was scrapped off. This beautiful sculpture is created around a wooden frame that was created using the leftover wood in the garden. Also used are cement, clay and straw to cast it into the shape that it is today. The sculpture looks marvelously stunning as moss covers her face and ivy her curvy body.
The Giant’s Head
Initially, The Giant’s Head was sculpted around an upturned rootball of a tree that fell way back in time; however, later, a steel frame was set in place to make the structure firm and long-lasting. The duo’s creativity, kind of, put life into the upturned rootball as they used water and clay to make it look like “The Giant’s Head” (literally) and combined the local weed to form its skin. A flower-bearing weed-like plant was used to create the Giant’s hair, which makes it look like a redhead during summers as the weed grows orange flowers.
The sculptures are seen changing their appearance in different seasons as the amount of light, grass and moss vary. Both these sculptures are truly unique and are the lifeline of the Lost Gardens of Heligan.
