Gavin Turk, Oeuvre (Hen), 2000 and Oeuvre (Duck), 2002
Sheepfolds Find out more about this Sculpture Park in Cumbria.
Roche Court New Arts Centre Sculpture Park and Gallery See more works by Anthony Gormley, Barbara Hepworth and the other sculptors exhibited here.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park Anthony Caro, Egyptian, 1999/2001
Richard Long, Slate Atlantic, 2002
Sculptures in the park
Orange lozenge left
Sculpture parks in the UK are becoming increasingly popular with all age ranges and represent a great way to enjoy nature and culture in one.
Yorkshire Sculpture ParkParks are scattered across the UK and, in the case of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, take pride of place among Europe’s finest. The Yorkshire Sculpture Park features work by contemporary UK and international artists set in stunning eighteenth-century landscaped gardens which play host to an exciting programme of exhibitions, displays and projects.
Antony Gormley, Break, 2002
So far, works by famous sculptors such as Rachel Whiteread, Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth have graced the mossy slopes of Yorkshire and the gallery located inside the grounds accommodates a diverse range of talks, study days and even sculpture master-classes – not all free – but open to everybody.
Barbara Hepworth, Two Figures, 1968
Cumbrian countrysideFor those who prefer a slightly more outward-bound sculpture trail, ‘Sheepfolds’ in Cumbria fits the bill perfectly. Set up by artist Andy Goldsworthy, the trail uses sites of existing or ruined structures across the Cumbrian countryside with the aim of tapping into the farming tradition and history of the area. One of the most interesting sculptures is the 'Poetry Path' which features large, flat stones which are engraved with poems by Meg Peacocke, evoking the different stages of the farming calendar from hay making to through to lambing!
Roche CourtA great example of a smaller sculpture park is the Roche Court New Art Centre Sculpture Park and Gallery in Wiltshire which nestles in the hills surrounding Salisbury, Southern England. The park specialises in work from the 1950’s onwards and represents the estate of Barbara Hepworth (mentioned above). Along with Hepworth’s graceful sculptures in bronze, marble and wood, the park displays work by Anthony Gormley, Richard Long, Alison Wilding, Richard Deacon and Gavin Turk. An added dimension to this al-fresco exhibition is that all works are for sale and the art centre offers the possibility of commissioning work for corporate and public spaces in conjunction with architects.
So put your wellies on and experience the UK’s green and pleasant lands!
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