Artist unknown, Summer Fashions of 1844, 1844. London Metropolitan Archives.
Our fascination with the gardens of yesteryear, particularly those that have vanished or have changed beyond recognition, is often fuelled by our interest in reconstructing worlds that offer a powerful means of making sense of the past and a way of reading history.
In this talk for ARTscapades on Lost Gardens of London, his new book and exhibition at the Garden Museum, renowned landscape designer and garden historian Todd Longstaffe‑Gowan celebrates the evanescence of London’s vast and varied garden legacy. He explores gardens dating from the sixteenth to the twenty‑first century. They range from gardens behind terraced houses and the capital’s humble allotments to defunct squares, amateur botanical gardens and aviaries, princely pleasure grounds, the gardens of royal palaces, artists’ gardens and private menageries – verdant sites that either no longer exist or are unrecognisable today.
This event will be recorded. Ticket holders will be emailed a link to view the recording afterwards which is available for one month. Proceeds from ARTscapades ticket sales benefit museums, galleries and other arts-based organisations and projects.
The exhibition Lost Gardens of London is at the Garden Museum from 23 October 2024 to 2 March 2025. The accompanying book by Todd Longstaffe-Gowan is published by Modern Art Press and distributed by Yale University Press London; talk ticket holders receive a code for 20% off the £25 RRP via their website here. UK orders only. Free UK P&P.
This is an online event hosted on Zoom which can be watched live with Q&A, or on-demand for one month afterwards. You will receive your link to access the event in your email confirmation and the on-demand link after the event ends.