Brookgreen Sculpture Garden

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“Within every block of wood and stone, there dwells a spirit, waiting to be released. Direct carving is a way of freeing the spirit – my own and that of the stone or wood.”
— Hap Hagood

Astonishing birds made from wood were on exhibit at the Brookgreen Sculpture Garden in Murrell’s Inlet. These incredible pieces of art work are truly amazing. Welcome to the Blog today, Friends, I’m so happy you are here. A recent trip to the shore brought me to this beautiful garden filled with sculptures by some talented artists. One of these artists works in wood and creates birds that astound with the accurate depiction of their movements, habitats and coloring. His name is Grainger McCoy.

The details in the sculpture show above are amazing. Each feather is carved separately and the birds are extremely accurate. The crab being fought over by the two birds is also amazingly accurate and depicts a scene you might happen upon in real life.

Here’s a look at the full sculpture. You can see how the artist has ruffled the feathers of the birds and the feet are remarkable.

This pelican sculpture by the same artist shows one pelican diving after some fish as the other pelican hovers above. The artist balances the two birds perfectly to create birds in flight. The lower bird is turned on his back with his head facing downwards. This is how they actually look as they go into the water. The water hits their backs which protects their internal organs from the impact of entering the water from a substantial height.

This modern sculpture depicts a man wrestling with an alligator. The setting is lovely overlooking a stretch of water.

“Metal is somewhat forgiving, stone is not. With stone, my exploration is done through drawings and time, lots of time studying the rock. Even with that, the rock will often reveal its hidden self, exert its will, change my direction, sometimes in a surprising discovery. These are “ah ha” moments.”
— A. Wayne Hooker

The statue above sits in the center of a man-made fountain. It was designed to work with the sun to create interesting shadows as the sun moves during the day. It’s a very “classical” looking piece and fits in beautifully with its surroundings.

The sheer power of two stallions coming together in battle is depicted in the statue above.

I love the detail in this face.

“Where did I learn to understand sculpture? In the woods by looking at the trees, along roads by observing the formation of clouds, in the studio by studying the model, everywhere except in the schools.”
— Auguste Rodin

More classical figures in a setting that is surrounded by nature and where nature is also reflected in the water of the pool.

The gardens are beginning to bloom although it is very early in the year.

We don’t need a melting pot in this country, folks. We need a salad bowl. In a salad bowl, you put in the different things. You want the vegetables — the lettuce, the cucumbers, the onions, the green peppers — to maintain their identity. You appreciate differences.

Jane Elliott

The kitchen garden is producing some wonderful early lettuce, parsley and other leafy greens.

Container gardens showing a mix of vegetables, herbs and flowers are ready for use in the kitchen.

“We are all butterflies. Earth is our chrysalis.”
― LeeAnn Taylor

Even butterflies can be seen visiting flowers, sipping nectar, and going about their work of pollinating plants.

The gardens with their early Spring blooms are a delight on a warm and sunny day at Brookgreen Sculpture Garden.