The absurdist quality in Mr Alys's pedestrian performances owes something to the artist's Belgian surrealist forebears.

ECONOMIST: The absurdist art of a Belgian-born, Mexico-based artist

Alys Fowler has written a number of books on gardening and has presented Gardeners' World on BBC Television.

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Mr Alys is part of a group of young Mexican artists who have come to international prominence since the mid-1990s.

ECONOMIST: The absurdist art of a Belgian-born, Mexico-based artist

Gardener and tutor Alys Fowler said no previous professional gardening experience was necessary as, for her, the ideal volunteers would be office workers.

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Like Mr Alys on his walks, the figures in his paintings seem to be wandering alone, constantly in search of someone or something.

ECONOMIST: The absurdist art of a Belgian-born, Mexico-based artist

Usually, however, Mr Alys's work has a more playful, fairytale quality.

ECONOMIST: The absurdist art of a Belgian-born, Mexico-based artist

Mr Alys is a rising star in contemporary art.

ECONOMIST: The absurdist art of a Belgian-born, Mexico-based artist