A beautiful, seven hectare garden created and owned by internationally acclaimed figurative sculptor, Dylan Lewis.
Dylan created the garden using his artistic eye and gut feel. Working with an experienced JCB operator over two years, the JCB became like an extension of his arm, like his hand.
The garden tells the story of Dylan’s creative development, from the highly figurative to the more abstract. He has placed sculpture in a wide variety of settings. A few monumental pieces dominate the views, while other works are easy to miss. There is one area which has work by others, including Deborah Bell, Conrad Hicks and Angus Taylor.
Dylan’s quest for the unknowable and the impossible is an important theme for him in the garden. He says ‘That element for me is in the garden: the search for meaning, the sense of what this journey is all about’. He has been inspired for a long time by British sculptor Henry Moore: ‘The secret of life is to have a task, something you devote your entire life to, something you bring everything to, every minute of the day for the rest of your life. And the most important thing is, it must be something you cannot possibly do.’
The plants are mainly indigenous. The mounds and ponds created by Dylan. The views, especially the mountains in the background, are stunning. You feel you are miles away – not 10 mins from Stellenbosch and an hour from Cape Town.
Dylan’s narrative is personal and profound – one of the best artist tours I’ve ever been on.
Whatever you think of his art, this garden is glorious – from Japanese inspired, precise topiary to wilderness the further away you get from the studio and other small buildings. No wonder visitors come from far off corners of the world to enjoy it.
Paradyskloof Rd
Paradyskloof, Stellenbosch
Please wear shoes with a good grip – hiking / walking boots
