HfC Associate Artist Celebrates Triumph at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 

Falmouth-based sound artist Justin Wiggan - one of our associate artists - wowed the judges at RHS Chelsea Flower Show with his latest audio instillation.

For the past 6 months, Justin has been using technology to convert energy from plants into sounds to form a soundscape which is played within the garden.

Justin Wiggan, HfC Associate Artist, by Hugh Hastings Photography

Inspired by National Trust founder 

The Octavia Hill Garden is designed and led by Anne-Marie Powell Gardens, Blue Diamond Garden Centres and the National Trust. The garden pays tribute to National Trust founder Octavia Hill - Justin’s soundscape includes birdsong and a speech by Octavia Hill, which he found and presented as a new poem 'Whispers of better things to come to us'.

With this special soundscape, the garden is designed to appeal to visitors with sensory loss and additional access needs.

Rooted in Cornwall

Earlier this year, Justin became one of our Associate Artists. Our programme, made possible by Arts Council England’s support of Hall for Cornwall as a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO), provides essential artist development support, advice and funding for developing artists in Cornwall.

Justin said: “I’m so grateful to Hall for Cornwall for their constant support providing office space, advice, and helping me with various funding opportunities and commissions. Being an Associate Artist at HfC has given me exposure of my work in a new network, which I wouldn’t normally have opportunity to explore.” 

Julien Boast, Chief Executive and Creative Director of Hall for Cornwall, said: “We’re overjoyed to see Justin’s work achieving such high-profile success, reaching new and diverse audiences. With our support, Cornwall-based artists continue to deliver on the national stage and we’re proud to have been a catalyst for Justin’s success. It’s exactly what our artist development programmes are for.” 

Chelsea medal-winning art 

The garden exhibiting Justin’s work won the Silver-Gilt Medal, the People's Choice Award, and the first ever Children’s Choice Award.

Prior to Chelsea Flower Show, Justin’s award-winning works have been exhibited nationally and internationally, including B.O. M Birmingham, Protein Gallery London, Baltic Gallery, Citric Gallery Italy, and Gigantic Art Space New York. His aim is to educate, share and engage people with sound as a creative field, and reconnect with their lives using sound art.

Justin continues: “It’s super exciting to belong to such a high-profile team of international garden designers, landscapers, the National Trust, and Blue Diamond Garden Centres. It’s allowed for renewed discussions for artists to engage with the public in new and creative ways.”

Judi Dench ushers in new beginning

After the tragic incident at the famous ‘Sycamore Gap’, new roots were planted at the Chelsea Flower Show this year.

With the help of seven-year-old schoolgirl Charlotte Crowe, Dame Judi Dench planted a sapling from the fallen sycamore at the Octavia Hill Garden, promising new beginnings. Surrounded by the sounds of Justin’s instillation, the sycamore will find new life in Chelsea.

You can find out more about Justin Wiggan’s work here.

All above images of the garden are supplied by © RHS / Neil Hepworth.