What makes an interesting garden? Well certainly the design plays an important part, as does the mix of plants, and then there are special elements added to enhance the space and draw the eye. Welcome to garden art! Rod Manning has been creating garden ornaments and sculptures for over 20 years and is passionate about his preferred medium – metal. Rod was born at Renmark in 1946 and bought up at the little village of Lyrup in the Riverland. An interest in wood work and metal work evolved in late primary and high schools. After attending a welding school via an adult education class while still at high school, Rod started doing repairs for neighbours. An apprenticeship in welding was commenced and two years at an agricultural engineering workshop was undertaken, then fulltime self-employment manufacturing and repairing horticultural machinery. An interest in manufacturing home and garden gift wares commenced after marriage in 1970 to Judy. Garden Art pieces were inspired after exhibiting garden and home wares at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show each year and visiting the Sculpture Art Exhibit commencing in 2002. Garden, Home and Art pieces are now made at his home in McLaren Vale. Rod was commissioned to complete sculptures which were part of the Landscape Association of South Australia 2011 Awards of Excellence. In 2013 Rod was awarded the runner-up best outdoor sculptures at the Brighton Jetty Classic Sculptures exhibition. Rod has several private and public installations throughout Australia, New Zealand and Ireland. MANNING SCULPTURES WATCH THE CLIP
