On April 26, 2023, at The Virginia Robinson Gardens, researcher and lecturer Carolyn Bennett gave an enthralling and fascinating presentation titled, “Artists in the Shadows: Women Who Turned Gardens into Art.”
Past President Kerstin Royce, standing in for Education Chair Adrienne Horwitch, warmly welcomed the guests at this sold-out lecture. Jeanne Anderson introduced Carolyn who speaks on a variety of garden and other landscape-related issues, including garden conservation. She received her master’s degree in the Conservation of Historic Landscapes, Parks and Gardens from the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London. In Los Angeles, she ran the Barn Studio Lecture Series for landscape designer Nancy Goslee Power & Associates in Santa Monica. Carolyn was a founding member of Los Angeles’s Garden School Foundation and has also served on the boards of the Los Angeles County Arboretum, the Cultural Landscape Foundation based in Washington, DC, and the California Garden and Landscape History Society. She has written articles for Garden Design Magazine, Pacific Horticulture and was a contributor to the book Shaping the American Landscape (UVA Press, 2010).
Carolyn said, “Gardens have always been a favorite subject for artists. Yet most of the works we are familiar with are by men. Were women not painting them or sculpting them or photographing them? Yes, they were. These intrepid ‘garden thirsty souls’ spent their lives in the shadows challenging the male-conceived notion that women could not be fine artists.”
Carolyn shared fascinating stories about these astoundingly talented women artists who expressed themselves not only through painting and sculpture, but also through glass art, ceramics, needlework, photography, and fashion. They faced “societal and economic challenges and took circuitous routes to fulfill their passions for including garden splendor in their art.”
Among some of the artwork that Carolyn presented were shimmering paintings by the Impressionist painter Berthe Morisot; the painter Suzanne Valadon who modeled for Pierre-Auguste Renoir and was the mother of the artist Maurice Utrillo; the innovative and wondrous stained-glass creations of Clara Driscoll and Jane Fairchild who designed for Louis Comfort Tiffany; and the contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama, famed for her infinity rooms and art installations. With sheer determination, many of these female artists overcame obstacles to create their art.
Carolyn delighted the audience with introducing many lesser-known artists and their amazing creations, such as the self-taught folk artist Clementine Hunter, garden photographer Andrea Jones, botanical wearables artist Nicole Dextras, and the quilter Andrea Brokenshire. The lecture was so riveting and inspiring, we could have listened to her all day. Indeed, there were many more artists that Carolyn felt she could have featured, such as the Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchgrave who creates intricately painted paper costumes.
The sheer visual beauty of this dazzling lecture was continued outside where guests sat at tables by the Display Rose Garden. Against the backdrop of ravishing lavender bearded irises, Jeanne Anderson arranged magnificent floral centerpieces in romantic vases on delicately flowered tablecloths. Place cards on the head table, designed by Jeanne, with images of paintings from Carolyn’s lecture, added to the lovely, creative, and artistic touches throughout.
The guests enjoyed an excellent luncheon catered by The Kitchen for Exploring Foods. Lemon herbed chicken breasts, orzo salad with fava beans and pistachios, charred and raw corn salad with chile and queso fresco, and a harvest chopped salad were served. Chocolate chip cookies, lemon iced madeleines, and ginger cream cookie sandwiches completed the delicious meal.
A big thank you to Kerstin Royce for such a fabulous event — from selecting a superb menu to helping create the enchanting tables with Jeanne to overseeing such a brilliant and beautiful lecture by Carolyn, selected by Adrienne. The Friends are so grateful for this last Education lecture of the season, so inspiring and resplendent in all its beauty.
Post and photos by Linda Meadows
Friends of Robinson Gardens Board Member
Editor of the Happenings
Krista Everage
Such a beautiful topic attend by the loveliest of women ~ I was sorry to be out of town and miss seeing you in person – thanks for this post sharing the day!