veld THE GARDENS AND LANDSCAPES OF PATRICK WATSON
ABout the Author/s
4 November 2024
When I was asked to review for ‘Veld”, I felt unqualified. However, after reading the book, I thought I could go ahead because it is primarily about art and design. In addition, I know Mr Watson and have had many conversations about projects and design. He openly admits that a South American influence is familiar to me. More than anything, I wanted to discuss this man's incredible work in a way that no South African – out of restrained humbleness- will do.
So, as soon as we received the book, I took a quick look. I could not put it down. So many things align to make this one-of-a-kind that even Patrick likes it.
One word that comes to mind is ‘mastery’, a skill that requires a gift, practice, and hard work.
Every project looks as if an effortless solution is being made evident. There is also mastery on the logistical side: the printing, photography, the artworks, the texts, and the narrative. The result is captivating, and Mr van Niekerk has spent time getting to know the projects and the man. And here, the line was drawn at the right place; throughout the book, Patrick’s short quotes define the ideas behind each work, and those words are genuinely his: precise, strong and humble.
The work is artistic, which is its leading quality. Patrick was the son of an architect and a keen gardener, and he has a natural understanding of composition and space.
His command of a complex living media that involves a deep understanding of ecology, geology, botany, and the practical nature of the landscaping industry is remarkable.
There are anchors in Patrick’s projects, strong features, and often large boulders or pathways. These are more permanent and usually architectural and carry the project beyond seasons and life cycles. But these features also relate to a grander scale, be it a vista, a point of interest, or an element that is present but originates beyond the site’s boundaries or deep beneath the surface. This results from one of his unusual ‘design in situ’ techniques, which avoids plans and graphic representations of designs: a hands-on approach that connects projects to contexts.
Plants are essential; as you walk along Patrick on any landscape site, he will (half to himself) point out that this plant will work, and this one will not make it.
His knowledge of plants, visually and botanically, is vast, yet plants are the composition material which takes prominence. Plants are combined in systems and landscapes, seldom as a highlight or sculptural statement. This aspect was valid for all scales, from the stone walls plugged with succulents to forest ecosystems. It is the same with stones or mounds of all formats; they respond to greater concepts but retain their personality. Lastly, without much debate, I would say that the work is, in essence, African, as it captures that subtle soul-stirring element that can only be found in this place.
No review is completed without some critique. I have two very superficial complaints. First, the scope of projects has left out one of my favourites: the Origins Centre at the University of Witwatersrand. Although this is a small project, it is closer to an urban condition, which would have given a more complete array of settings. The spectacular succulent lawns at the Spier winery would have been a unique project to include as well, but I understand that logistically, there are limits. Secondly, Patrick’s eye for recycling and seizing opportunities –another in-situ design technique- is quite auspicious and could have been exemplified in the book. I can think of the boulders on the iStore Campus (unwanted and discarded from the site next door) or the ‘tree trunk seats’ at the Stark Studios, which were conceived in situ, to name a few.
Overall, this is an incredible book. I can only thank those involved for taking such a challenging undertaking seriously and for masterfully capturing Patrick Watson's work.
Full title: veld THE GARDENS AND LANDSCAPES OF PATRICK WATSON
Authors: Garreth van Niekerk with Elsa Young and Heidi Fourie
Photographs: Elsa Young
Paintings: Heidi Fourie
Publisher: Struik Nature
Year: July 2024
Reviewer: Darío Hernán Schoulund
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