THE Whiteley name is renowned for capturing the 3D in compelling 2D form, just as Wendy Whiteley’s new book does.
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Ms Whiteley - the widow of artist Brett and the mother of the late actress Arkie - has her own creative vision.
That vision has most recently come to prominence in the 20-year makeover of neglected state land into a garden.
And what a garden! - as detailed in Wendy Whiteley and the Secret Garden’s gloss photographs of the Lavender Bay beauty.
“It’s such a spectacular bit of visual excitement,” said Ms Whiteley in interview with the Southern Highland News.
“The garden has been filmed and photographed a lot. I generally just garden and [took] just a few at the start.”
The land, originally bought but not beautified by state transport agency Sydney Trains, “was like a blank canvas”.
“I’d never gardened on this scale before. I couldn’t make a plan because I’d no idea what was under the lantana and weeds. As we moved across the landscape, we just went with it.”
The site, unsuitable for machinery, was sculpted by hand and hard labour under Ms Whiteley’s creative guidance: a daub of spades, a sketch of landscape, and a palette of plants.
“All the time we’ve been conscious of the fact the land is owned by a government agency,” Ms Whiteley said.
She hopes a forthcoming visit from Premier Mike Baird will result in the transfer of the land into public trust.
“That would be the best outcome, by far the best. It would be hard to set up a trust to look after it, otherwise.”
The garden has given Ms Whiteley time and space for grief in her bereavement; contemplation; and now healing.
“I used it to heal, for the alchemy of turning something dangerous and ugly into something peaceful and beautiful.”
Caught up in book tours, including next week’s Bowral visit, she’s having to leave the garden more than she’d like.
“I like to be out there as much as possible. A garden is never complete because it is alive,” Ms Whiteley said.
Wendy Whiteley and the Secret Garden “honours the garden and Janet Hawley’s writing is marvellous,” she said.
“The photographer and designer turned out to be brilliant. It’s not a how-to-garden book, it’s the story of a garden.”
Ms Whiteley and author Janet Hawley will host morning tea at Centennial Vineyards on October 14 from 10am.
Tickets: $25 each from The Bookshop Bowral, 309 Bong Bong St, or call 4862 1634.