Like the subject matter she was dealing with, Lucy wanted the book to have an organic feel. To “let it grow like a plant”, Lucy opted to make the book in daily instalments, as her discoveries happened – much like the way the volunteers would label the plant’s growth and developments day by day. Naturally, everything was drawn and written by hand, and Lucy used a technique of layering colour pencils, building up soft and gentle marks. “I created blurry and glowing images because that’s how I think memory feels like,” says Lucy. “I usually can’t remember all the details of the event or situation, but a sense, a smell, or a texture.” This glowy effect works beautifully in Lucy’s depiction of broccoli growths, which she likens to fireworks, for “both of them are failed flowers”.

Some of Lucy’s discoveries were less positive, however, and in March of last year she and the other volunteers were informed of the council’s plans to demolish the garden. After the news, Lucy’s documentation learned more toward “preserving memory”, creating something that paid homage to the garden as a space of “collective memories”. But the volunteers didn’t back down. To prevent such action they planted bat-attracting flowers (flowers that attract butterflies, which in turn are bats’ main source of food) as, once they nested, the space would be species-protected. “It was a really creative solution compared to arguing with the local council,” says Lucy. “The bad news is, no bats came. The good news is, we somehow managed to keep the garden for at least another year.”

After falling head over heels for the Meanwhile Garden, Lucy hopes her book might inspire others to seek out their local community green space. “There are over 1000 community gardens around the UK,” she says. “I hope more people get to know community gardens, the beauty of growing, and the healing power of nature. When cultivating plants, individuals are also cultivating a sustainable mindset through engaging with nature on a deeper level.” Now, Lucy sees In Search of Meanwhile Garden as showing the beauty in otherwise seemingly insignificant happenings: “The accumulation of tiny moments has magical power,” she ends.

Last November the Meanwhile Garden had an exhibition in White City Community Centre. A film by Felix Fuller-Kerley shows the volunteers (including Lucy) working in the garden. You can watch it here.

Source: itsnicethat.com