Date of Birth: October 28, 1925
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Date of Death: March 27, 2006
Biography
Ian Hamilton Finlay was a Scottish poet, writer, artist, and gardener known for his innovative and interdisciplinary approach to the arts. Born in Nassau, Bahamas, and raised in Scotland, Finlay’s work traversed various mediums, including sculpture, installation art, and landscape design. He is best known for his work in concrete poetry and for creating Little Sparta, a garden in the Pentland Hills near Edinburgh which is filled with his sculptures and inscriptions. His poetry often incorporated classical themes and references, blending them with contemporary issues and ideas. Finlay’s work remains influential in both literary and artistic circles, celebrated for its conceptual depth and aesthetic innovation.
5 Interesting Facts about Ian Hamilton Finlay
1. Ian Hamilton Finlay founded Little Sparta, a garden that has been described as the greatest Scottish artistic creation of the 20th century.
2. He was initially a shepherd before he became widely recognized as a poet and artist.
3. Finlay’s work often explored themes of war, revolution, and classical antiquity.
4. He was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2002 for his services to art.
5. Finlay’s artistic practice uniquely combined literature and visual art, often embedding poetic texts within sculptural forms.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ian Hamilton Finlay
1. “Certain gardens are described as retreats when they are really attacks.”
2. “To define art is to murder it.”
3. “A garden is not an object but a process.”
4. “In a revolutionary situation, the first and most urgent necessity is to break the spell of the existing order.”
5. “The true poet has no choice of material. The material plainly chooses him, not he it.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Ian Hamilton Finlay’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but his contributions to art and poetry were invaluable.
Children
Ian Hamilton Finlay had two children: a son named Alec Finlay, who is also a poet and artist, and a daughter named Ailie Finlay.
Relevant Links
2. [Little Sparta – Official Website](http://www.littlesparta.org.uk/
3. [Ian Hamilton Finlay – Tate Gallery](https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/ian-hamilton-finlay-1159
