Self-taught artist Anna Clement is preparing to hold her first solo exhibition at the scenic Great Comp Garden in Platt, near Borough Green. The exhibition, titled 'From the Garden', will run over the Bank Holiday weekend from Saturday, August 29 to Monday, August 31, 2026, and will be the first art exhibition held in the venue's newly renovated Garden Room.
Botanical art inspired by the garden
The three-day event will feature botanical art and paintings directly inspired by the seven-acre garden. The site includes romantic follies, an Italian Garden, a 17th-century manor house and sweeping hot and cool borders filled with perennials and salvias. Visitors can expect to see Clement's vibrant interpretations of the natural world, capturing the shifting seasons and the quiet beauty of the plants at Great Comp.
A former chartered surveyor who raised her family in Sevenoaks, Clement is a self-taught artist who has been painting her entire life. She grew up in Petts Wood but has lived in the Sevenoaks area for 30 years. She is an active member of both the Stone Street Art Group and the St Lawrence Art Group. Despite having previously exhibited extensively in London and throughout the South East of England – including Great Comp's Summer Show – this is her first solo showcase.
Personal connection to the garden
For Clement, the exhibition is deeply personal and rooted in her love for the local landscape. Her relationship with Great Comp Garden began through a shared horticultural interest. She explained: “We discovered the garden via William [Dyson] and his salvias. I’m a keen gardener, and wanted some salvias for the garden – we went to explore and fell in love with the place.”
When asked about her inspiration, Clement noted her affinity for the changing environment: “I love all the seasons, but spring is wonderful – you have everything ahead of you. Autumn is beautiful, but spring I like the best – especially at Great Comp with the magnolias in full bloom.” Clement will be in residence throughout the three-day event, eager to engage with visitors. For her, the focus of the weekend is community and shared passions. She added: “It’s not about sales; it’s about connecting with people, and talking about art and the garden at Great Comp – two subjects I love. The perfect combination!”
Milestone for the garden's regeneration
Great Comp Garden has undergone restoration work over the last few years, including saving the roof and renovating the Garden Room for public use. David Chesover, chair of trustees for Great Comp Garden, commented: “This is a real milestone for Great Comp in our regeneration story. It's the first exhibition to be housed in the newly renovated Garden Room. Just a few years ago, the idea of being able to open the Garden Room was just a dream, so having it ready now for public use — and having Anna share her artwork here — is wonderful. We hope visitors are as inspired by the garden as Anna and the team are!”
Visitors are welcome to attend the exhibition free of charge via the front door of Great Comp House, though standard admission applies for those wishing to explore the garden. The exhibition is located at Great Comp Garden, Sevenoaks.
