What you compose with is neither here nor there, you compose with words, or you compose with stone plants and trees, or you compose with events; the Sheriff's officer, or whatever. — Ian Hamilton Finlay Copy Share Image
I am always a beginner. I only try to include different parts of life; the pastoral, the tragic, et cetera. — Ian Hamilton Finlay Copy Share Image
I have often said that just as the French revolution, for instance, understood itself through antiquity, I think our time can be understood through… — Ian Hamilton Finlay Copy Share Image
But I can only write what the muse allows me to write. I cannot choose, I can only do what I am given, and… — Ian Hamilton Finlay Copy Share Image
But you have to understand that I consider myself a very modest artist, or whatever, and not of importance really at all - it… — Ian Hamilton Finlay Copy Share Image
However, I don't feel the world is looking over my shoulder when I am working - I never think about this at all. What… — Ian Hamilton Finlay Copy Share Image
The same sort of thing happened in my dispute with the National Trust book: Follies: A National Trust Guide, which implied that the only… — Ian Hamilton Finlay Copy Share Image
If the work is pure then you have to think it could be understood. If it is not understood it doesn't mean that your… — Ian Hamilton Finlay Copy Share Image
Certain gardens are described as retreats when they are really attacks. — Ian Hamilton Finlay Copy Share Image
No, I don't make my work in order to challenge or confuse other people's expectations - I only do what I find natural. — Ian Hamilton Finlay Copy Share Image
Little Sparta is a garden in the traditional sense. It is perhaps not like other modern gardens, but I think that other times would… — Ian Hamilton Finlay Copy Share Image
As a friendly one. I would still like to write concrete poems, but I can only do it sometimes. — Ian Hamilton Finlay Copy Share Image
