Fleur de l'Air
ArtistDesigned/Sent by
Ian Hamilton Finlay
(Nassau, Bahamas, 1925 - 2006)
RecipientReceived by
Joyce Laing
(Aberdeen, Scotland, 1939 - 2022)
PublisherPublished by
Wild Hawthorn Press
(founded 1961)
Date2000
Object NameBottle Label
Mediumcard, paper, ink
ClassificationsPrints
Dimensions8.8 x 10cm
AcquisitionPresented in 2010 by Joyce Laing OBE.
Copyright© Estate of Ian Hamilton Finlay (2009)
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG017582
About MeOlive oil label designed by Ian Hamilton Finlay. The text comes from another work of Finlay's, "Seven Definitions" (ABDAG017588). In the last ten years of his life, Finlay created Fleur de l'Air, a garden set into the sunny hills of Provence. Finlay installed about 40 of his artworks, most of which were specially commissioned for this garden. He was also asked to advise on the planting of allees, orchards of fruit trees, the re-establishment of terraces of lavender and rosemary plantations and the introduction of working bee-hives. It is likely that the olive oil was also the product of his garden and he designed his own label for the bottle.This work is part of an archive that belonged to Joyce Laing, OBE. The artist, Ian Hamilton Finlay, was a personal friend and sent her an example of each new poem, print and multiple as it was made.
