Author Sophie Walker (centre right) with Anish Kapoor (centre left), plant hunter Sue Wynn-Jones (left) and Zen Buddhist nun Venerable Myokun (right)

Our highly cultured Japanese Garden party

Anish Kapoor, Jon Snow, David Chipperfield and Simon Jenkins came to the V&A for Sophie Walker's book launch

Refined, cultivated, and highly engaging: that’s how you might class the horticultural practices outlined in our new book, The Japanese Garden. However, it’s also an apt description for the guest who came to the book’s launch this weekend.

 

Jon Snow, Jane Quinn, and David Chipperfield and wife Evelyn Stern
Jon Snow, Jane Quinn, and David Chipperfield and wife Evelyn Stern

Author and acclaimed young garden designer Sophie Walker delivered an in-depth lecture on The Japanese Garden and hosted a drinks reception at the Victoria & Albert Museum in West London on Friday evening, to celebrate the book’s publication.

 

Jon Snow
Jon Snow

 

Guests included the acclaimed British artists Anish Kapoor and Mark Wallinger; the architect David Chipperfield; the television journalist Jon Snow; the columnist and editor Simon Jenkins; the Japanese gallerist Yurika Shiraishi; former Curator of Chelsea Physic Garden, Rosie Atkins; Chili Hawes, co-founder of London’s October Gallery; fellow garden designer Tania Compton; art critic and TV presenter Waldemar Januszczak; and Zen Buddhist nun Venerable Myokun.

 

Mark Wallinger (centre) with Evelyn Stern (right) and Laura Curry (left)
Mark Wallinger (centre) with Evelyn Stern (right) and Laura Curry (left)

 

Sophie delivered her fascinating talk, before going on to mingle with guests and sign books. For more on Sophie’s unique insight into this distinct style of garden, beloved by artists, architects and smart horticulturalists alike, order a copy of The Japanese Garden here.

 

The Japanese Garden
The Japanese Garden