Adrian Gray and his mesmerising balanced stones return to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Adrian Gray, the international pioneer of stonebalancing art, returns to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year, with a tradestand to remind us of the power and importance of balance as we return to ‘business as usual’ following the pandemic.
His stonebalancing tradestand will feature two collosal balanced pieces, ‘Strength and Grace’ and ‘WOW.’ Both sculptures are 4 metres high and feature the balance of a 6 tonne piece of 290-million-year-old Cornish granite rock. The precarious and breathtaking position of these elemental boulders, balanced as if by a thread, present the startling juxtaposition of fragility and solidity, and the incredible ability of balance to bring them together.
The tradestand will also feature examples of Adrian Gray’s smaller garden and indoor stonebalancing sculptures, and visitors will be able to watch live stonebalancing demonstrations. See here:https://vimeo.com/user15650568
Adrian Gray’s tradestand has been designed by SGD Garden designer Dana Assinder, with help from garden designer Lizzie Westrop. The theme is naturalistic and wild to reflect the organic nature of Adrian’s work. In terms of plantings, the stand will feature a mix of sedges, grass and bee-friendly perennials. 2022 will be Adrian Gray’s 7th RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Adrian has felt an increased interest in his unique stonebalancing art as a result of Covid as people spend more time in their gardens, but he also believes that his pieces’ unique effect on the viewer has influenced the renewed demand. Adrian said; “There is something other wordly about the seemingly impossible balance my pieces demonstrate. This has a perspective-inducing quality which has given people a sense of peace during what has been a very difficult time. As we come out of the pandemic, and normal life resumes, the idea of balance is more important than ever. And my pieces have a powerful message to tell in this regard.”
The pioneer of stonebalancing art, Adrian Gray (based in Devon, near Axminster) has spent the last 22 years of his life exploring the fine art of balance in any and all types of rock. His work has evolved to include new ideas and themes, but the predominant feature remains the beauty and seemingly impossible nature of balance – a fleeting state, which to see captured so physically is both moving and hope-inducing. Using carefully selected weathered stones he creates balanced sculptures that range in size from desktop balances to monumental 6m installations which have been sited in public and private spaces across the world.
Adrian has a growing celebrity amongst the artworld, media and with leading horticultural institutions, including the RHS. Previous exibitions include Equipoise at the Art Trove gallery, the Chaumont Garden festival and one man shows in Singapore and Roccoco Garden. Adrian counts Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall as a client and Kevin McCloud described him as ‘the stone whisperer’ after showcasing a crane-balanced piece on Channel 4’s Grand Designs. Critics have likened Adrian’s work, and the dramatic effect it has on his audience, to the power and presence of the ancient menhirs and stone circles that stud the landscape in which Adrian lives and works.
To commission a piece, please contact Adrian on adrian@stonebalancing.com or call 01297 35756, 07305 898546
