Feb. 10, 2017  another reciprocal garden:

I  found another "garden" in Orlando that was listed in the MOBOT reciprocal membership list---Albin polasek museum and sculpture garden---so we decided to go check it out.  Hadn't been to this garden before.  Founded in 1961, the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens is home to an art collection focusing primarily on American representational sculpture created by Czech-American sculptor Albin Polasek. 

The museum itself is Polasek’s Mediterranean-style retirement home and studio on 3.5 acres of land fronting Lake Osceola. 

Many of the sculptures were created here by Polasek after he survived a stroke which left him paralyzed on the left side of his body.  Having no children, he thought of his sculptures as "his children". 

"Man carving his own destiny"

The front courtyard of the house.

"Wasserman/King Under the Sea"

"Emily Fountain"

Once in the house the rooms were made into galleries.  The galleries feature changing exhibitions of local artists for viewing and for sale. There happened to be an exhibit there now by the Haitian artist Frantz Zephirin.  He definately has a unique folk-art-type style.
This painting---In the Nests of Great Birds---is about the electoral problem.  People are angry.  It is about the left fighting the right.  The snake represents the power of division.  Can be yours for $15,000.

I like the way this one continued the painting over the frame.  It's called:  Gede and Baron  It's about where the Ghedes reign of zombies.  Only $2,500, but already purchased.

Love how this one was painted over wrinkled cloth.  It's called "Tears of Dessalines".  It shows the painful dates of Haitian history and "invite us to regain our consciousness and change the way we lead this nation" (Zephirin)

A bit about the artist:  he's one of the leading contemporary artists working in Haiti today.  A self-taught artist born in cap Haitien in 1968, he has been described as a visionary, a surrealist, a visual satirist and an "historic animalist."  His paintings feature subject matter on history, politics, the environment, Christianity, and Haitian Creole culture.

I liked this one because of the sea horses.  It's titled "Aquatic Harmony" and represents harmony between species.  "And we men must follow this same harmony in order to protect the endangered species and preserve the aquatic fauna and flora" (Zephirin)  It, too, had a sold sticker on it and a price of $6,000.

"Back to the Native Land"    "When I returned to my homeland after living abroad for years, I found that the country was in need of a lot of assistance and support.  It is the duty of every Haitian to contribute to the progress and prosperity of our beloved Haiti.  The tears of nostalgia and remorse come out of our eyes to remind us of our powerlessness before the situation of the country" (Zephirin)  Still available for $5,000.

Unfortunately I didn't do a very good job of noting the names of most of the sculptures.

Interesting little resident of the yard.

There was beautiful landscaping around the sculptures.

Looking from one side of the yard to the other.

 

Lake Osceola.

Originally scheduled to be demolished back in 2013, money was raised to rescue this historic home and relocate it to the Polasek Museum. The home was cut into two halves and floated across Lake Osceola. The 4,200 square foot house, which now sits next to Polasek's home, contains museum offices, exhibits, and artwork. Workshops, meetings, and special events are also held at the home.

Love that a lot of the sculptures were pink.

"Victorious Christ"

Looking towards the back of the house from near the lake.

We sat a while and enjoyed the yard.

The back of the house.

Not a large "garden", but still interesting and worth while.

More of the flora around the house.

"Stations of the Cross"

Back inside the house and a wider view of part of the Zephirin exhibit.

One last look at the front of the house.

Another view of the home brought across the lake to serve as offices and a meeting place.

Not a big garden, but we easily spent about 1 1/2 hours there. 
From there, we headed back to Apopka lake for a few more hours.