20 May 2013
MEDIA RELEASE
AUSTRALIAN GARDEN COMMEMORATES LEADING LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
A sculptural installation has been unveiled at the Australian Garden at the Royal Botanic
Gardens Cranbourne to commemorate Landscape Architect, Kevin Taylor’s (1953-2011)
significant contribution to its genesis and fruition.
Designed by internationally renowned artist, Janet Laurence, in collaboration with David
Lancashire and Kate Cullity, Secrets of Lightness is a sculptural installation of seven
glass panels (400mm x 3050mm) etched with Kevin’s handwritten prose on the
Australian landscape:
Those who live in the shadow of gravity employ the secrets of lightness to
survive. The feathery canopies of red gums dance. (Abstract from the Secrets of
Lightness)
The sculptural installation was proposed by former Director and Chief Executive of the
Royal Botanic Gardens, Dr Philip Moors, and has been installed in one of Kevin’s
favourite areas within the ‘Eucalypt Walk’ of The Australian Garden.
“Kevin Taylor's creativity and passion for the Australian flora can be seen in every tree
and stone in this garden. Now with this beautiful sculptural element his words will be part
of that inspiring landscape,” said Professor Tim Entwisle, Director and Chief Executive of
the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Designed by Taylor Cullity Lethlean (TCL) with Paul Thompson, the international awardwinning Australian Garden was delivered over 17 years with Stage Two of the project
opening late last year.
“Kevin would have been incredibly proud of what TCL has achieved with Stage Two of
the Masterplan,” said Kate Cullity, Kevin’s wife and Director of TCL.
The resultant garden is testament of Kevin’s overall vision to inspire and educate visitors
on the Australian landscape and flora:
“The Australian Garden expresses the tension between our reverence and sense of awe
for the natural landscape, and our innate impulse to change it, to make it into a humanly
contrived form, beautiful yet our own work…(it) seeks to create an environment in which
specific qualities of flora are highlighted in a manner which will inspire visitors to further
explore Australian plants. This inspiration may be stimulated by a variety of experiences;
it may occur through appreciation of beauty, either in detail of broad expanse, through
experiencing surprise, humour, awe or reverence. For some the garden will challenge
preconceptions and spark their inquisitiveness. For others it will provide information,
leading to new understandings.”
In July 2012, Kevin was awarded the Sir James Irwin President’s Medal at the South
Australian Institute of Architects’ Awards in recognition of his exemplary contribution to
design.
www.rbg.vic.gov.au
His legacy lives on in a sponsorship fund established by TCL to assist emerging
designers, artists and other creative individuals explore areas of endeavour that Kevin
was particularly interested in. As he was a great exponent of cross disciplinary
collaboration, this research could explore many different avenues and produce a wide
spectrum of outcomes.
– ENDS –
Media enquiries:
Katie O’Brien (Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne)
Megan Tough (TCL)
www.rbg.vic.gov.au
0409 507 485
0448 094 400