ARCHITECT-turned-topiarist Tim Bushe’s delightful shrub creations are already popular sights around Islington, often attracting sightseers, and now his work can be spotted in the Selfridges’ window in Oxford Street. His skilful hedge trimming is celebrated in the department store as part of their series Bright Old Things 2015, a tribute to 14 individuals who have embraced new vocations later in life.
Tim may be a known locally for his hedgecutting but he has already made a mark on the borough with his Highbury architecture practice, responsible for the Wagamama at Angel and the former Bierodrome in Upper Street.
The west-end window display depicts a dog startling three cats, in reference to both his wife Philippa’s love of cats and the Bushe family’s experience looking after guide dog puppies, they are currently providing a temporary home for 10-month-old Labrador puppy Naomi. Bushe’s figure has also been immortalised inside the store. A leather-clad figure of Tim can be seen diving head first into a giant topiary 5ft-wide tennis ball.
The ball will be auctioned on eBay to raise funds for charity Hft that has supported his younger sister, Martha, who has Down syndrome.
The 61-year-old Highbury resident has already fundraised nearly 90 per cent of his target goal of £5,000 for the charity with his living installations, including a hippo in Tufnell Park and a Scottie dog in Finsbury Park.
His most famous – the caravan of elephants standing on the corner of Ambler Street – was borne out of a request to prevent anti-social behaviour.
Naomi Schillinger, resident and member of neighbourhood group the Blackstock Triangle Gardeners, called on Tim’s skills after spotting the steam train hedge outside his Balfour Road home.
Armed with an electric 42-inch Black & Decker trimmer and egged on by his wife, Tim began carving hedges five years ago and quickly noticed the impact they can have on an area, the sculptures become local landmarks, provoking conversation between neighbours and passers-by.
“I was quite surprised to see myself in the Selfridges window,” he said.
“Friends have been calling up after recognising me. I started messing around and it’s just snowballed from there.”
• For details on Tim’s fundraising visit www.justgiving.com/tim-bushe/
