Pocket Garden play set is a miniature re-interpretation of Julie & Jesse’s Terra Mobiles. The palm-sized whimsical porcelain sculptures are underpinned with the historical context of Tiger Balm Gardens with its elements of fantasy and expressions of classical Chinese gardens.

 “Pocket Garden is a collection of spontaneous sculptures shaped from waste materials collected around our studio” explains Jesse. “Mixing recycled porcelain, waste yarn from Tai Ping’s production line and stale popcorn we created a clay body mimicking the porous textures of scholar’s rocks” adds Julie.

In a time of pandemic, stuck in the confines of our homes, we long for nature and travel. Pocket Garden reflects on the power of scholar’s rocks to inspire imaginary journeys into worlds reminiscent of Chinese landscape paintings. The sculptures foster the spirit of curiosity, creativity and participation offering children and adults alike opportunities of communal play and collective wandering. With pieces that can be snapped onto Lego® bricks and wheels, carted around to create gardens and fantastical sceneries, the set is a catalyst to build narratives. Whilst small in scale Pocket Garden is large in possibilities.

A limited edition of 30 sets of Pocket Garden was made for the Critically Homemade initiative by Design Trust and are available through Kapok. All proceeds will go to support Design Trust‘s ongoing research and grant programmes.