The press of Heather & Ivan Morison Publication: Headline: Picture: Caption: Selected editorial: "By Andy Coleman, Gardening Editor. You’ve heard of the Naked Chef but what about the Naked Gardener? Birmingham artist Ivan Morison shed his inhibitions and his clothes to feature in a film shot on his allotment for an exhibition at the Ikon Gallery. But he is quick to point out that it is all done in the best possible taste and should not offend anybody! Its more like Carry On, portraying the eccentricities of the British', laughs the fine art graduate who gained an MA in the subject at Birmingham’s UCE. 'It’s as if the viewer has spied me in my garden and I beckon them in. 'The finished film, a 30 second loop, celebrates the colours and sounds of the garden. It shows it as an idyllic place.' The sort film is part of the 28 year old Ivan’s portfolio of work which will be on display at the Ikon Gallery. The project has had the unexpected side effect of turning Ivan, who lives in Edgbaston into a keen gardener. 'I took over the allotment at Westbourne Road Leisure Gardens last year when I was looking for a location to display some of the sculptures. Then I had the idea of using gardening to experiment with form and colour and celebrate successes and failures. As a novice gardener it was a real learning experience for me. I was interested in attempts at creation and how I normally failed!' Ivan discovered that his plot was in a shady spot so there was much that did not grow well, but that did not deter him. 'I was just happy if anything came up. I had some strange mutant misshapen cabbages but I actually find them more interesting.' Ivan’s experiences as a first-time gardener were recorded on film, with drawings and as poems. As well as in the film, Colours and Sounds in Ivan Morison’s Garden, Spring 2002, Ivan will talk at the Ikon Gallery about his work and invite guests to visit his garden. With 1,000 flower bulbs planted by Ivan the gardener is becoming a riot of colour. He has erected a greenhouse and is busy sowing marrow and pumpkin seeds. The film will be shown at the Ikon Gallery, Oozell Square, Brindleyplace, April 17-June 4, 11am-6pm Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. Admission is free. Ivan will talk about his work at 2pm on May 11th at the Ikon. A bus will take visitors to his garden at 2:30pm. The garden is also open to the public on May 24. To book your free place phone 0121 248 0708."
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