About the artist:

A product of the late 1950's British baby boom, Gavin studied Landscape Architecture at Leeds Polytechnic. After graduating in 1980 he joined leading British landscape consultancy, Brian Clouston and Partners in London, transferring in 1982 to the Hong Kong office BCP Hong Kong (now ACLA Limited). He participated in several Key Projects for the Hong Kong Government including Tseung Kwan O New Town infrastructure, various public housing estates, Yuen Long Town Park and the design of the waterfall area of Hong Kong Park.

From the late 80's Gavin has worked as a freelance illustrator and cartoonist for a wide range of clients, notably as editorial cartoonist for the imail and Hong Kong Standard from 2000 - 2008. He is the author of a number of environmental illustrated children's books.

In 2004 Gavin joined one of Hong Kong's foremost landscape architecture consultancies ACLA Limited, where he has been heavily involved with the design and site supervision of the Greening Master Plan programme instigated by the Civil Engineering and Development Department of the HKSAR Government, projects requiring a range of skills from city-wide urban planning, through streetscape improvement and waterfront promenade design, to detailed practical planting design and participation in public planting events.

In May 2015 Gavin joined The University of Hong Kong, Division of Landscape Architecture, and currently serves as Senior Lecturer in Landscape Architecture, primarily teaching Planting Design and Drawing Landscapes.

In association with Jane Ram, he also hosts plant and landscape-oriented walks and tours. For information please contact Jane at janetaipeng@gmail.com

In 2008 Gavin and Gloria Coates set up the Balanghari Educational Initiative under the umbrella of the Crossroads Foundation, to assist underprivileged children to attend school in Nueva Ecija Province in The Philippines.