Living sculptures: mind-blowing fusion of art & garden
"In my imagination, I cross not only plant families but whole kingdoms." -Marcia Donahue
"Hybridizer" Marcia Donahue was just your average starving art student when she moved into a decrepit Victorian house in Berkeley, CA. Craft media and ceramics kept her busy in the studio, but something about the old home's backyard kept luring her outside. "I started learning about plants and light and soil," said Donahue, "and I just got flipped out about it. I started gardening madly." That fever culminated in the integration of found and recycled objects into her garden, including bowling balls, teacups, gravestones - you know, whatever's lying around.
Conceptually, Donahue draws from the psychedelic and absurd. She entertains the fantastical while keeping her art grounded in the earth's roots and natural materials. Her craft intertwines nature, culture, and spirituality in a lush backyard paradise. And I do mean paradise. Part sanctuary, part Sunday gallery space, Donahue's work shatters our conceptions of home gardening. Tall Italian cypresses spiral skyward while koi fish circle below in a giant handprint pond. And I wasn't kidding - the walkway is paved with actual tombstones, one of which is engraved with the artist's name.
For Donahue, gardening is simply "kinetic sculpture." Just as plant life is always growing and shifting, the sculptures evolve in an interactive space for visitors. If you can make a weekend trip to the South Berkeley garden, pay special attention to the "Bottle Tree" piece - I'm proud to report that my favorite type of booze played a hand in its creation.
"Our Own Stuff Gallery" by Marcia Donahue is open from 1-5 p.m. Sundays and is located at 3017 Wheeler St., Berkeley, CA.
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