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Located in the centre of Glasgow The Hidden Gardens is a place of sanctuary dedicated to peace. It has been achieved through an artist-led programme of regeneration involving collaboration with environmnental arts charity organisation, landscape architects, an international team of architects and the local community.

Within this public space artworks are integrated into the overall garden design combined with landscaping and planting.

The entire project is significant in its attention to community consultation, cultural diversity and inclusion. The impact of such considerations can be seen in the smallest of details. For example, in some areas of planting there is a mixture of Asian and Celtic flowers, trees and shrubs.

Artists

• Divya Bhatia
• Julie Brook
• Alec Hamilton Finlay
• Gerry Loose
• Stephen Skrynka
• Angus Farquhar

Project was managed by NVA Ltd.

Funding

SAC Award amount

£214,600.00

Project total cost

£474,760.00

Funding purpose

Towards the cost of working with communities in South Glasgow to create Scotland's first sacred garden through an artist-led project.

(Please note dates and details correct at time of award.)

Consultation & Commissioning Process

The appointment of a Community Liaison Officer underpinned much of the community consultation from July 2001 onwards. Many of the local community groups have been involved in meetings, interviews and questionnaires in an effort to determine the ongoing content, development and use of the Hidden Gardens as a public space.

An extensive education programme has provided further opportunity for consultation through artist workshops, events and collaboration with other organisations such as The Lighthouse.

Five artists were selected through direct invitation based on the research and experience of nva.

Outcomes

• Spiritual Overview
• Broken Circle: circular line of moving water
• Xyloteque: library of books constructed from various woods
• Inscribed Texts: poems and texts carved into sandstone waymarkers
• Hidden Worlds: series of aluminium sculptural pieces with viewing lenses