Ever wondered what the story is behind the mysterious sculpture garden down on the Grand Union Canal, opposite Meanwhile Gardens? This is your chance to find out, to get up close to the statues and tiles and tap into a fascinating story of outsider art, close community and grassroots activism.
The site known as ‘Gerry’s Pompeii’ was a one bedroom ground floor flat and canal-side garden occupied by Irish immigrant Gerard Dalton from 1983 until his death in 2019. During his time on Hormead Rd, Gerry transformed his housing association flat into a gallery of fantastical handmade sculptures, pictures and architectural models. Over winter Gerry worked inside, making scale models of public buildings that impressed him; in warmer weather he climbed over his garden wall to access the disused strip of land along the canal. This became the site for sculptures and tiles of his favourite historical figures, commemorating them in his own inimitable fashion.
Although well known and liked in his community, much of Gerry’s endeavours were only discovered after his death. This engaging documentary by Stella Scott seeks to discover what inspired this modest man on his visionary creative journey. It also captures how a grassroots campaign to preserve his life's work powerfully brought together friends, neighbours and influential people in the art and heritage worlds.
The film will be followed by a live Q&A, a chance to discover more about Gerry, and the on-going project to preserve and present ‘Gerry’s Pompeii’.
