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The area of Cornwall, in the Southwest of England in Cornwall, emanates the Mystical and magical folklore tales of King Arthur. A callosal project has been undertaken in the 200 acres to renew this garden within the mystifying Lost Gardens of Heligan. The garden attracts nature enthusiasts and those that have deep love and appreciation of nature and also the people who are looking for a place for a romantic stroll together.

The Mud Maid sculpture that was created by siblings, Pete and Sue Hill in 1997 is a notable sculpture that has made Heligan famous and is an intimate part of The Lost Gardens Woodland Walk.

The sculpture is a living art. Her ‘clothing’ or ‘hairstyle’ will change through the seasons. In Spring and Summer, her appearance is utterly changed as that from Autumn or Winter. The viewer can have different perspectives of the Mud Maid with tsubtle changes of fresh growing grass or ivy from bright greens to crackly browns.

#1. Here Is The Mud Maid Sculpture In The Lost Gardens Of Heligan, In Cornwall

image – Pete & Sue Hill

#2. It’s A Living Sculpture…

image – nela.fernweh

#3. Its Appearance Changes With The Seasons, As Plants Grow And Then Wither Away

image – Pete & Sue Hill
image – ejlilie
image – _timmurray_
image – Stuart Richards

#4. The Mud Maid Represents A Sleeping Woman

image –  Wulan Nephin

The Hill’s emit a sense of wonder with their art, which allows the viewer to enjoy its ‘living changes’.  The Giant’s Head oozes is another piece which almost a secret mystery to Heligan, deepening the exploration of your senses when visiting the woodland.

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The Mud Maid was created including the building of a hollow frame created from wood and strong netting that had tacky mud attached to it. It was then formed into the shape. They have also used more mud, cement, and sand. Her head is full of Woodsedge and Montbretia whilst ivy is her clothing. She was coated yogurt to encourage the growth of lichens.

Thousands of people visit these 400-year-old gardens every year.

A vast number of the gardeners who tended this fascinating garden were called up to the front and when the war was finally over there were far fewer gardeners who returned due to WW1 and this resulted in the estate falling into disorder.

When it was created by the Tremayne family way back in the 18th century, 22 gardeners were employed before the war to tend to The Lost Gardens of Heligan.

#5. Here’s What The Mud Maid Looks Like In Late Spring…

image –  Daderot
image – Pete & Sue Hill
image –  heligangardens

#6. In Autumn

image – joanna_eden

#7. Here’s How The Mud Maid Was Built

image – Pete & Sue Hill

#8. The Sculptors were Brother And Sister Pete And Sue Hill

image – Pete & Sue Hill

#9. Here’s The Way People Reacted When They Saw Photos Of The Sculpture

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