Stuart Murdoch has chosen Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2008 to launch himself and his brand new sculpture business.

After 19 years as a graphic designer, Stuart recently chose to leave behind the world of corporate marketing to follow a dream using his creative talents to produce more 3-dimensional work and decided upon the country’s most prestigious garden and flower event to exhibit his works.

Stuart is currently working in Surrey but hails orginally from Scotland. The landscapes and wildlife of the Highlands and Scottish heritage, Pictish and Celtic knotwork patterns and zoomorphics are obvious elements of inspiration in Stuart’s work. A long interest in Japanese woodblock prints of artists such as Hokusai and Hiroshige also inspires some of Stuart’s work.

Wherever possible Stuart uses traditional methods and reclaimed, windblown or found materials to produce unique carvings and sculptures for the home, garden and workplace. As a latecomer to the show he has produced all his exhibits in just two months. Works for garden and exterior display include groups of large, stylised calla lillies, curled leaves and large carved acorns. Pieces specially developed for Hampton Court include relief carvings in riven slate and a display wall of carved slate and stone panels and clocks.

Stuart has also devised a way to introduce an artistic and sculptural element to fill any space, large or small in the town or country garden. Celtic, Japanese, decorative, figurative, wildlife or personal designs can be commissioned as hand-carved reliefs in railway sleepers to create monumental friezes for any garden. The sleepers are untreated and can be of oak, chestnut, tropical Azobe or Australian Jarrah and can be cut down from 2.6m to the desired height and bolted together to any required width.

Speaking about his decision to launch his first collection at the show, Stuart stated:
“When I decided to dedicate myself to sculpture, I wanted to use the skills I had developed as a graphic designer in interpreting a creative brief in a more personal way, and in a more lasting medium. I try to create pieces which are accessible as well as inspiring and reflect the design of a garden, and become part of a home. The Hampton Court Flower Show is an ideal place to launch myself and market my works and gain fresh inspiration.”

Often working on commission to design a piece for a specific garden or to mark a special occasion, his work combines the personal with the universal to create bespoke pieces for the garden and home.
Stuart Murdoch will be exhibiting at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show this year, stand number D/68.