By BRIDGET COOK
THE Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne has installed a permanent tribute in the Australia Garden to a man who was integral to its fruition.
A sculptural installation was recently unveiled in The Australian Garden to commemorate landscape architect Kevin Taylor’s significant contribution to the garden’s creation.
Mr Taylor worked closely with the gardens for more than 15 years developing the Australia Garden but did not get to see its completion after he died in a traffic accident in Darwin in August 2011.
Designed by renowned artist Janet Laurence, Secrets of Lightness is a sculptural installation of seven glass panels etched with Mr Taylor’s handwritten prose on the Australian landscape.
The sculptural was proposed by former Royal Botanic Gardens director and chief executive Doctor Philip Moors and has been installed in one of Mr Taylor’s favourite areas within the Eucalypt Walk of The Australian Garden.
The new Royal Botanic Gardens director and chief executive Professor Tim Entwisle said Mr Taylor’s creativity and passion for the Australian flora can be seen in every tree and stone in the garden.
“Now with this beautiful sculptural element his words will be part of that inspiring landscape,” he said.
In July 2012, Mr Taylor 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.
His legacy lives on in a sponsorship fund established by Taylor Cullity Lethlean, the design firm that Mr Taylor was the director of, to assist emerging designers, artists and other creative individuals explore areas of endeavour that Mr Taylor was particularly interested in.
