Working with Weeds

Currently in progress, the W**d Garden by the Turner Prize-winning architecture practice Assemble and garden designer Sarah Alun-Jones is both an artwork and an inventive biodiversity initiative. Celebrating the plants that many would usually regard as weeds, the garden combines planting and architectural elements to create a space of humble beauty and contemplation.

The garden draws inspiration from the condition of the site as they found it: a space partially enclosed by a large, mature beech hedge, which comprised of soil mounds and 'weeds' such as Linaria, Teasel and Verbascum. By including and giving value to existing plants, habitats and biodiversity found on site, alongside other plants commonly found in edgeland or neglected sites, the planting challenges our preconception of a 'W**d' as a 'plant in the wrong place'.

The focus on weeds is especially apt as, from 1960 to 1985, Begbroke was home to the headquarters of the UK’s W**d Research Organisation – one of the world’s most influential centres of W**d science.

On the day

As part of the landscaping phase of this project, we invite you to join us in a 2 hour hands on workshop in which you will be identifying weeds, discussing your W**d woes and ideas why some should stay in the ground. Jaimini Patel will also be on hand to explore your identified plants and collectively we will uncover historic and current uses, creating a map of materials made from local flora.

The workshop takes place in Begbroke Science Park and will involve some like physical activity, getting dirty and wet (if raining). Please see FAQ for what to wear, bring and information on the physicality.

The workshop is designed for adults, although 16-18 year olds are very welcome if accompanied by a responsible adult.

About the wider project

This workshop is part of a series of creative gardening workshops led by Sarah Alun-Jones (Head Grower at Sitopia Farm) and Jaimini Patel (Artist in residence at Begbroke Innovation District). The workshops are focused on using and preserving what is traditionally seen as garden waste.

These workshops and installations are part of Oxford University Development's public arts programme ‘Another Landscape' , an ongoing project that builds community from the soil up. The programme directly responds to, and is in dialogue with, the surrounding landscape and those that inhabit it – prioritising local materials, innovation, knowledge exchange, co-design, experimentation, local stewardship and space for research.

Please do drop OUD an email on [email protected] if you would like to get involved in future arts and culture activities.

Host or Publisher Oxford University Development