By very definition, walls are meant to separate and stand as symbols of division or oppression. There are currently 74 border walls across the globe, most erected over the last few decades . They are being used to define borders, prevent movement, discourage illegal movement of goods, to repel migrants and refugees or even just to exert power or authority.

But what if they could stand for something else? For unity, togetherness and cohesion. For creating a safe haven that encourages growth, provides safety, protection and a sense of belonging.

A new permanent exhibit at Careys Secret Garden, in Wareham, aims to highlight just that. The garden is nestled within a wall, and 7 full size pieces of the Berlin Wall have been installed to draw juxtaposition between walls that separate people and those that unite.

Adorned with graffiti and street art of the time, these special pieces had been relocated after the fall of the wall in 1989 and, through one misadventure and another, remained largely unseen since.

Once a symbol of oppression and division, the team at Carey hope to use them now to start important conversations about the use of border walls in different parts of the world.

Walls that unite

3 Years ago the Victorian walls of Careys Secret Garden were rediscovered after decades hidden from view. Despite the fact they had been largely untouched the walls still exuded a sense of calm and refuge. Setting about rehabilitating them and the gardens contained within felt as much a job of conservation of this precious atmosphere as it was of physical restoration.

The walls create a feeling of sanctuary. Physically they create a microclimate – the walls are south facing to deliberately capture the sun, and shield from strong winter winds, while the surrounding trees offer added protection.

Simon Constantine, Founder of Careys Secret Garden, comments:

“In the age of division, with so many people requiring you to be either in or out, what if there was another way? What, if instead of deciding between building walls or building bridges, there was a way that both could be ok?

Can people find space to grow, to cultivate their inner world to be strong enough for the wider world? Can we connect to the best aspects of our past but relinquish the ugly foundations some of those ideals were built on? Can we address the present ecological and social crises and, through a sense of belonging, build healthy futures together? Can these walls that have been built actually allow us to grow, to connect with one another?”

The exhibit launched on 9th November 2022, in honour of the date the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. Local press and special guests were invited to an exclusive evening viewing of the pieces which were tastefully illuminated against the dark backdrop of the forest on Careys estate.

“The Berlin Wall installation is in stark contrast to the ingenuity used to build the walls of Careys Secret Garden. At Lush we believe that all are welcome always and yet we see that walls are deployed with increasing regularity around the world to prevent the movement of people, irrespective of their needs. This is a time when walls should give people warmth and shelter and not a time that the oppression and division the Berlin Wall represented should return.” - Mark Constantine

“Launching this installation on Wednesday felt poignant. It was the 33rd anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and a time to remember the power of resistance and community that brought it down. At the same time we can’t turn away from the fact that more Border walls exist now than ever. At Carey we wish to use walls to bring people together, using the protection they offer to shelter plants and also to foster connection to nature and one another. We feel very privileged to be able to exhibit the wall and to share them with our community.” - Simon Constantine

Credits: Karen Huxley