Nestled in the enchanting region of Cornwall, England’s southwest, lies a place brimming with folklore and King Arthur legends. The captivating Lost Gardens of Heligan, Europe’s most extensive garden restoration spanning 200 acres, beckon explorers, plant enthusiasts, and romantics alike.
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Within the heart of Heligan, secrets unfold, including the famed Mud Maid sculpture meticulously crafted by local artists Pete and Sue Hill. Commissioned in 1997, this artwork seamlessly integrates into The Lost Gardens’ Woodland Walk.
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The Mud Maiden is not just a static sculpture; she’s a living masterpiece. Her ‘clothing’ and ‘hair’ transform with the seasons, adorned with the ebb and flow of grass, ivy, and moss.
Witness her vibrant glory in spring and summer, only to unveil a completely different visage in the enchanting embrace of autumn and winter.
Encounter the ever-changing Mud Maid sculpture within Cornwall’s Lost Gardens of Heligan.
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It’s not just a sculpture…
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…it’s an evolving masterpiece that mirrors the cyclical nature of seasons through the growth and decline of plants.
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The Mud Maid, embodying a sleeping woman , is part of the mysterious allure that Pete and Sue Hill’s sculptures bring to Heligan, enhancing its forested landscape.
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Crafted from a wooden framework and windbreak netting, the Mud Maid’s exterior is layered with tactile mud. The face, a fusion of mud, cement, and sand, initially received a yoghurt coating to foster lichen growth. As ivy adorns the Maid, her contemplations drift towards Woodsedge and Montbretia.
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Established in the 18th century by the Tremayne family, The Lost Gardens of Heligan stand as one of the United Kingdom’s renowned botanical wonders. Employing 22 gardeners pre-World War I, the estate witnessed a decline post-war due to the gardeners’ wartime service.
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Every year, thousands of visitors explore the 400-year-old gardens, marveling at the living sculptures crafted by The Hills.
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This is the captivating story of the Mud Maid’s creation.
Pete and Sue Hill, siblings and accomplished sculptors, brought this enchanting figure to life.
source – dautruongtoanhoc