23 May 2023

The Giants House: horticulture meets art on a gigantic scale

From Nine To Noon, 11:30 am on 23 May 2023

Gigantic colourful sculptures tower in an artist's landscaped garden wonderland on Banks Peninsula. 

Built in 1881, a grand historic house in Akaroa welcomes visitors to wander its colourful terraces over-looking the harbour. 

It's home for the past couple of decades to artist and horticulturalist Josie Martin, who started this quirky project when she settled down after thirty art residencies all over the world.

She first started mosaics here when she discovered a treasure trove of old china dumped in the grounds of her house, from before the days of rubbish collections. 

Today it's a Garden of International Significance.  And, she tells Kathryn, it's in an on-going labour of love, bringing together her two loves - horticulture and art.  She calls it The Giants House and some of her sculptures are 5 metres tall.