In 2012 John Dyer was appointed as the official artist in residence, with Heritage Lottery funding, for the Gyllyngdune Gardens in Falmouth.

John’s series of paintings as Artist in Residence for Gyllyngdune Gardens in 2012 demonstrate the energy generated when a whole community values and takes part in its parks and public gardens. The familiar views of Falmouth’s sea front and beaches are full of colour and vitality, with people and dogs enjoying the sunshine, the music from the bandstand and all kinds of water sports. Part of an event called ‘Global Gardens’, it included a children’s art project from which rock star Kim Wilde and John selected the best entries.

The exhibition was shown at three venues – Gyllyngdune Gardens, Falmouth Art Gallery and with the National Trust at Trelissick Garden – and provided a rare opportunity to see a large selection of John’s garden and environmental paintings all together.

"I am thrilled that the 'Global Gardens' project has inspired so many children to connect to plants and nature. It is only by forging connections between ourselves and the natural world that art,science and environmentalism can thrive and be taken forward by the next generation. The standard of the entries has been remarkable and we have included every single picture in the online exhibition and also the exhibition at Gyllyngdune Gardens to celebrate all these young artists. I hope the wider community will come along to see this wonderful celebration of the natural world." 

John Dyer

"Encouraging our children to appreciate the natural world around them is a wonderful way to stimulate and excite them, as well as educate them. I have encouraged both our children into the garden since they were toddlers, treating the garden as an extension of our house. Out there in the sunshine we have played, planted and painted together, the garden serving as a family space to spend quality time with each other…time for us all to smell the roses in our otherwise busy lives! I am really excited to see the paintings for the Global Garden project, and delighted John asked me to be involved." 

Kim Wilde 2012

Article courtesy of Kate Dinn.
Read all about John Dyer's life and work in the book 'Painting the Colours of the World' by Kate Dinn.