Poppies, 1926, Sir Cedric Morris. copyright Philip Mould Company, Cedric Morris Estate
Judith Schrut leads us up the garden path with two new London shows celebrating the work of artist and plantsman, Cedric Morris.
Art fans and garden lovers alike are sure to enjoy two exhibitions of 20th century Welsh artist and plantsman Cedric Morris, running concurrently at London’s Garden Museum and the Phillip Mould & Company’s gallery. Not heard of Cedric Morris? No, neither had I before viewing these shows. Maybe like the proverbial London bus, you wait ages and two stunners come along at once.
I was surprised to learn that most works on display have never been seen before in public. As well as producing vibrant, expressionistic paintings of flowers, gardens and landscapes, Morris led a remarkable life. He taught art and ran an art school (Lucien Freud was one of many famous students) and was also a textile designer, singer, horse trainer, ornithologist and serious collector and breeder of exotic plants and flowers. He lived openly as a gay man in the 1950s when homosexuality was still against the law.
While you’re at the Garden Museum, be sure to take a look around the rest of this recently reopened space, included in the modest admission price. It’s a wonderful example of London’s many small, wondrous but little known museums, atmospherically set in an abandoned medieval church. Here you’ll find everything you’ve ever wanted to see about the many splendoured, very British love affair with gardens and gardening. There are displays of garden gnomes, seed catalogues, wellies and sheds, Dig for Victory certificates, dress insignia of the Royal Society of Free Gardeners and a fascinating assortment of historic garden tools. And, as you’d expect, there’s a lovely gift shop and welcoming tea room with garden views and tasty cakes.
Cedric Morris: Artist Plantsman is at the Garden Museum, Lambeth Palace Road, London SE1 7LB. Cedric Morris: Beyond the Garden Wall is at Philip Mould & Company 18–19 Pall Mall, SW1Y 5LU. Both shows on until 22 July 2018. More at gardenmuseum.org.uk and philipmould.com.
