In 2014 Sophie Walker became the youngest woman to design a garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Having studied art history, Sophie later qualified in horticulture, plant science, and garden design. Based in London, she practises globally. In addition to designing gardens, Sophie lectures on conceptual design, the Japanese garden, planting, and the garden environment.
'Sophie Walker: a name to watch.' – Independent
' The Japanese Garden offers an explanation of the semantic
foundations of Japanese garden design... The book could act as a
very good alternative guide to an ambitious horticultural trip.
Rather, however, Walker's point is that we should embrace the ethos
of Japanese gardening – that it exists to transport our minds and
build our inner worlds, rather than be used to expand our
experience of what is around us – and channel that appreciation of
nature into garden design... Japanese gardening isn't so alien, as
anyone who has found connection and peace in their garden will
know. As Walker says: "Many a great thought has occurred while
weeding the garden". In Japan, the gardens are designed to
encourage those who admire them to think, too.' – Daily
Telegraph'An incredible ode to the beauty and tranquillity of the
country's gardening tradition... Will make you want to book a
flight to Kyoto immediately.' – AnOther'A beautiful book.'
– Spectator'Just leafing through Sophie Walker's The Japanese
Garden brings a feeling of calm and tranquillity... Walker covers
their history and meaning, unravelling a little of their mystery.'
– Sunday Times'An impressive, informative and very readable
book, written with considerable passion from an artistic
perspective.' – Japan Society Review 'Packed with over 300
images and poetic prose, The Japanese Garden takes you on a
journey... This isn't just a book for keen gardeners, it's a source
of art and design ideas and concepts for anyone in need of
inspiration and visual stimulation.' – VICE'A well researched
and thorough book, offering fresh insights into the art, culture
and aesthetics of the Japanese garden. The gardens featured have
been carefully curated... The reader is taken on a journey of
discovery through thought-provoking writing and beautiful
imagery... [Sophie Walker] is passionate about her subject and the
reader will find much of interest in her scholarly writing... This
beautifully designed book will certainly open the reader's eyes to
the cultural wonder that is the Japanese garden." – Reckless
Gardener'The Japanese Garden isn't just filled with beautiful
photographs but it traces 100 years of Japanese gardening
history... Amazing photographs.' – Monocle'This engaging book
examines more than 90 magnificent gardens spanning 1,200 years of
design. It offers fresh insight into the art of the Japanese
garden.' – Town & Country'Recommended reading for potting shed
and armchair... Even if it did not contain original essays by Tadao
Ando, John Pawson and Anish Kapoor, this would a superior book... A
must for anyone serious about the topic.' – Daily
Telegraph'The act of seeing, and the concentration of seeing, takes
an effort. The gardens impose that effort on you if you want to see
them. It's another way of ordering your vision, and it slows down
your vision.' – Richard Serra 'Japanese gardens present a world
that is profoundly un-human. The driving principle is not
anthropocentricism, but rather keeping in step with the providence
of the universe.' – Lee Ufan 'There are many books that have been
written on Japanese gardens, on their beauty, their philosophy and
their history. What is so significant/exceptional about Sophie's
book is the way in which her essays unveil the very contemporary
relevance of the subject. I love her writing; she brings the
ancient art of these gardens into the context of today.' – Luciano
Giubbilei, garden designer
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