Fragile by David Crowe

Turf and chalk

This work was originally designed for installation at our first ever exhibition, at West Dean Gardens and Arboretum in West Sussex. However, as this is sited on rare chalk downland, the turf could not be removed. We are delighted to have the opportunity to create the idea here at Grimsthorpe.

“The idea for the word ‘fragile’ being carved into the earth harks back to a time when people and their environment had a close understanding. It reminds us that we should treat the natural world with the same care as we would some precious man-made object. The idea focuses on the use of heavy, san-serif lettering, like that found on ‘HANDLE WITH CARE’ parcel tape.”