The Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, UK
In 2006 Bradley was invited to explore Liverpool with a view to making a project to mark the city’s year as European Capital of Culture in 2008. Conversations with a local gardening group inspired her to embark on a journey of discovery through the city’s botanical history. Bradley was drawn to the work of remarkable Liverpudlian figure William Roscoe, who founded the Liverpool Botanic Garden, which was in its Georgian heyday, one of the most significant gardens of its kind in the world.
Bradley made the first artist’s response to Roscoe’s work – her book Mr Roscoe’s Garden (published by Liverpool University Press) – and collaborated with the city’s botanical gardeners to create an award-winning garden of the same name for the Chelsea Flower Show. As part of her project Bradley also created a light-box installation The Botanic Garden, which was presented at the Walker Art Gallery during Liverpool Biennial in 2008.
Constituent elements:
Mr Roscoe’s Garden – artist’s book (2008)
‘Mr Roscoe’s Garden’ – garden for the Chelsea Garden Show (2008)
The Botanic Garden – suite of 5 light boxes (2008)