EDEN Gardens has officially launched ‘Eden Unearthed: Art in the Gardens’ for 2022. 

Eden Gardens, the local garden centre located in Macquarie Park, has unveiled 35 captivating art installations. Blended into the lush grounds, the artworks were created by over 30 artists to demonstrate the harmony of nature, the need for environmental sustainability, and to showcase the beauty of artistic expression. 

Eden Unearthed is a six-month exhibition, officially open from November of 2022 to April of 2023, allowing the public to wander through the gardens and explore the installations. 

Opening night of Eden Unearthed, November 1st 2022, included a Welcome to Country Smoking Ceremony with Shannon Foster, Traditional Owner and D'harawal eora Knowledge Keeper, to acknowledge the Indigneous custodians of the land. 

At the launch of Eden Unearthed, Eden Gardens hosted formal speeches by Meredith Kirton, Horticultural Journalist and Curator for Eden Gardens; Simon Ainsworth, Managing Director; and Australian landscape architect, Costa Georgiadis. 

The team at Eden Gardens, along with the Eden Unearthed judges Allan Giddy, Graham Forsyth and Rae Bolotin, nominated finalists and awarded the artists for their ingenuity and artistic talents. 

Kristy Gordon, creator of the installation Cloudspace, was awarded the Eden Unearthed Award, and won $10,000 in prize money. The Gardener’s Award was presented to Leanne Thompson, creator of Transference. 

The Sustainability Award was given to Gloria Florez, who created the artwork Lost Habitat. The Student Award was presented to Ella McGaw, creator of the installation Promises. Kathie Najar, creator of Cleansing Pool, and Wendy Joyce, creator of After the Storm, were both accorded the Highly Commended award for their artworks. Eden Gardens presented the Monte Lupo enterprise, a group who provides career opportunities to artists living with a disability, with the Community Connections Commendations Award for the installation The Garden Dwellers. 

‘Artwork is a storytelling tool,’ said Costa Georgiadis, officially opening Eden Unearthed to the public. ‘This is about stories. This is about communication... the ability to tell stories will shift the next decade.’ 

To learn more about the artists, artworks, and how to attend Eden Unearthed, visit: www.edengardens.com.au/pages/eden-unearthed 

Eden Unearthed sculptures & installations are at Eden Gardens, Macquarie Park, Sydney for six months. 

Wander their spacious grounds with free entry and experience breathtaking contemporary, interactive and ephemeral art from thirtyfive artists, with a kids’ art trail and artist-led workshops.