Little Sparta: The Garden of Ian Hamilton Finlay

by Jessie Sheeler, Andrew Lawson (Photographs)

Sir Roy Strong calls Little Sparta 'the only really original garden made in this country since 1945'. Ian Hamilton Finlay's unique creation in the Pentland Hills south of Edinburgh is a garden composed as an artwork in itself. It incorporates concrete poetry, moral polemic, philosophical reflection and a sparkling sense of humour. While Finlay's works and installations throughout Europe and North America are well documented and justly famous, this is the first book devoted solely to the garden at Little Sparta, which has been at the heart of his life's work. It offers the reader a sense of the diversity and originality of the garden along with a text that unfolds the layers of meaning it contains.

Genres: Art

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2003

About the author

Jessie Sheeler grew up in Edinburgh, and whilst a student at the University there first met Ian Hamilton Finlay the writer and artist. She was instrumental in publishing some of his early work, and the work on many experiment poets and artists in the journal POTH (Poor Old Tired Horse). Whilst teaching at Bedales school she kept up a lively connection with the arts scene in the UK and in particular Edinburgh. She continues to write on topics related to art and gardening, particularly on conceptual gardens like the one at Little Sparta created by Ian Hamilton Finlay.

Reviews

[Stuart Macalpine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good, lucid and intelligent reading of the garden at Stony Path; the book is a good guide to the puns and allusions which articulate the ideas of much of the garden, but is is also a beautifully put together book on its own merits.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a permanent place on my book shelf. It is one that I read from time to time, and have read several times this year. Very interesting, but I may be being bias as he is one of my favourite artist.

[Izzy Vogel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for an essay on Finlay. My enjoyment of this book was mostly due to my love for his work, as I don't remember much about the actual writing of this book. I liked how it was broken down by themes, which made the works discussed more understandable.
The pictures were lovely too!

[Lyn Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

The wonderful photographs of Andrew Lawson convey the moods and atmospheres of different parts of Finlay's garden as Sheeler's text helps explain some of the complex ideas that underly it.