Art inspired by nature

Artwork created by pupils at Bedales Prep, Dunhurst went on display at an exhibition at Petersfield Physic Garden on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 November 2022.

The ‘Art of the Garden’ exhibition featured work from pupils across all year groups at Dunhurst, related to the theme ‘The Natural World’, inspired by the eminent botanist John Goodyer.

Goodyer, who was prominent in the 17th century when formal physic gardens were introduced in Great Britain, lived and worked in Petersfield and the town’s Physic Gardens are dedicated in part to him.

Dunhurst pupils were introduced to Goodyer at the start of the Autumn term in their Art and Design lessons, focussing in particular on the botanical illustrations in Gerald’s Herbal, a 17th century plant compendium to which Goodyer contributed. They went on to create a range of work, from botanical illustrations to more imaginative outcomes in textiles and ceramics, which will be exhibited along with pupils’ poetry inspired by Edward Thomas and Seamus Heaney.

Dunhurst’s Head of Art and Design Susan McFarlane commented: “In our corner of Hampshire, we are blessed with ecologists, botanists, writers and artists inspired by their surroundings, whether John Goodyer or Gilbert White, Edward Thomas or John Wyndham, Ivon Hitchens or Eric Ravilious. At Dunhurst, pupils have enjoyed learning about and creating work inspired by these figures and are thrilled to be sharing that work with the wider community. Seeing their work exhibited outside of school gives them a real sense of pride and achievement.”

Art and Design at Bedales Prep, Dunhurst | Petersfield Physic Garden | John Goodyer | Susan McFarlane