FORM – The Sculpture Exhibition; a unique event coming to Sculpture by the Lakes, Dorchester

‘FORM – The Sculpture Exhibition’ at Sculpture by the Lakes near Dorchester will feature some 200 pieces of both indoor and outdoor sculpture from some of the country’s top sculptors – making it one of the biggest sculpture exhibitions in the UK.

This impressive new event will feature more than 100 large-scale outdoor sculptures installed across the sculpture park’s stunning 26 acres of lakes, rivers, gardens, and woodlands. Among the breathtaking works to be displayed will be pieces by globally-celebrated artist Philip Jackson, known in particular for his many public commissions, such as the Bomber Command Memorial in London’s Green Park and the statue of Bobby Moore at Wembley Stadium. Also featuring will be Adam Binder, a previous winner of the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year award and a member of the Society of Wildlife Artists; and Gill Parker celebrated for her equine and wildlife sculptures forming part of many public, private and royal collections.

Bronze sculpture artist Nicola Godden will be adding another exciting element to the festival. Her most recent large, bronze sculpture, ‘Icarus’, was created for the Olympic Village for London 2012, and she is now working on a new, large-scale ‘Falling Icarus’ sculpture for ‘FORM – The Sculpture Exhibition’, where the finished piece will be displayed publically for the first time. As the grounds play host to large outdoor works, the Sculpture by the Lakes indoor exhibition spaces – The Gallery by the Lakes and The Retreat – will come alive with a wide variety of gallery sculptures, including pieces by Paul Harvey, celebrated for his sought-after sculptures of birds; the subtle, pared-back animal sculptures of Stephen Page; and the abstract works of Mark Beattie.

The park and botanic gardens will offer visitors wonderful woodland and garden walks around the lakes and alongside the River Frome. There will also be the opportunity to explore the indoor exhibition areas (which, combined, make up the largest gallery space in the county), and stop for drinks, lunch, or dinner at the award-winning café.

Some 14,000 visitors are expected to flock to this rare event, where art-lovers will not only be able to view a wide range of sculptures in a stunning, natural setting, but also purchase the exhibits, which will range in price from £1,000 to £300,000. The event has been curated by Simon Gudgeon, an acclaimed sculptor and owner and founder of Sculpture by the Lakes at Pallington near Dorchester. Simon said:

“The way sculpture interacts with its environment, changing with the light, the weather, the seasons, means that where you experience it is vitally important. Putting large-scale sculptures in a museum or gallery diminishes their power, but in a beautiful, natural environment, that power is restored; they come alive. That was one of the reasons I started Sculpture by the Lakes many years ago, and why I am putting this event together now. This is something I have been thinking about for years now, and I am thrilled to be seeing it come to fruition. It is a rare and special opportunity for sculpture-lovers to see and enjoy the works of some of the best sculptors from across the UK together in one place for the first time. It is going to be truly spectacular.”

 

Alongside ‘Form – The Sculpture Exhibition’, which runs from 30th March – 16th May, will be ‘The Garden Festival’, taking place in the final week from 12th – 16th May.

This five-day event will feature more than 30 exhibitors, showcasing everything to do with the garden, from plants to tools to garden furniture. Alongside the exhibits will be expert talks and tours of the stunning park with its botanic and kitchen gardens, which were all created by head gardener and co-founder of Sculpture by the Lakes, Monique Gudgeon. Monique has said:

“As our many visitors have told us over the years, visiting Sculpture by the Lakes is as much about the gardens and the beauty of this setting as it is about the sculptures. The two go hand in hand; I have designed this landscape to best showcase the sculpture, just as Simon has been inspired by this setting in the work he has produced. It seemed right that a gardening event would sit well alongside a sculpture exhibition here, reflecting our twin passions and celebrating everything that makes Sculpture by the Lakes so special.”

 

Tickets for ‘FORM – The Sculpture Exhibition’ will be priced at £12.50, which is the standard price of entry to Sculpture by the Lakes.

For more information visit sculpturebythelakes.co.uk/Form