Wild Imagination
This Art work featured at Croome Court, 2024 – 2026). A Meadow Arts and National Trust Croome commission.
Made in collaboration with participants from Pershore High School and Pershore Riverside Centre. Sound by Anna Palmer.
This animation is a creative response to Croome’s Pages from Nature theme, a year-long programme of exhibitions and events inspired by the Hortus Croomensis, a comprehensive guide to Croome’s abundant and exotic species written by William Dean, Head Gardener at Croome in 1824.
Sarah worked with young participants to explore some of the plant’s found in Dean’s publication that still thrive in Croome’s gardens today. During creative workshops participants made drawings and gathered sound recordings which were transformed into this hypnotic animation where plants interact in a journey across Croome’s landscape.
The project is part of a wider collaboration between Meadow Arts and Croome which sees both organisations work with young people from Pershore to make creative responses to landscape, nature and heritage spaces.
‘Through the process of working together at Croome, the young people bought so much energy and creative enthusiasm, finding inspiration everywhere they looked in the landscape here. Their vision was to transform what they saw into a vibrant, part imaginary universe, that I could channel into this new animation. Many years on from the original Hortus Croomensis it was interesting to see the planting at Croome through the eyes and imaginations of the young participants and that it is still as inspiring today as it was 200 years ago.’ – Sarah Taylor Silverwood.
With thanks to the participants. Pershore High School. Teachers: Emily Bitcon and David Reid. Students: Hetty Hughes, Juliette Sampson, Noah Jones, Isabella Nock, Ruby Keetley, Bayley Spencer, Mia Marie Smith, Oliver Mardler, Toby Shephard, Cerys Irving, Owen Llewellyn, Rosie Barker, Oakley Robinson, Lillirose Heitt. Pershore Riverside Youth Group. Youth leaders Tara and Caitlin. Participants: Olivia, Maddison, Max, Chester, Amelia-May, Lara, Beau and Lacey.
Wild Imagination is commissioned by Meadow Arts and Croome and is generously supported by the Tony Brooks legacy and public funding from Arts Council England and The Elmley Foundation.
Find out more about the project in the film below:
Film Courtesy of Meadow Arts. Filmed by Tegen Kimbley.
About the artist
Sarah Taylor Silverwood
Sarah Taylor Silverwood is an artist based in Birmingham whose drawing practice works across animation, illustration, textiles, ceramics, sculpture, objects for the home and public art. She combines her interest in making and storytelling by working collaboratively with others to challenge familiar forms of imagery and language. Her practice embraces new making techniques by experimenting with materials to develop the practical application of her drawing in response to the ideas, environments, objects and people she is working with.
Sarah Taylor Silver wood has exhibited in Wild Imagination (2024 – 2026) and Plate Up (2026) at NT Croome Court.