Stately homes offer wonderful settings for works of art and Great Fosters near Egham ticks all the boxes with rambling gardens, fountains, arches and other nooks and crannies that present brilliant backdrops for sculptures in particular. Inside the 16th century house, the vast rooms with their wooden panelling and opulent fireplaces present fabulous settings for works of art.
For the duration of this summer, 13 contemporary artists have been asked to respond to the unique and glorious setting and history of the estate which was originally built as the hunting lodge for King Henry Vlll in 1550 AD.
I visit on a sunny press day when the artists are present and the gorgeous brochure, an absolute work of art in itself, tells us that the majority of the 22 works on display were created in the artists’ studio calling upon materials such as bronze, steel, wood, clay and glass.
Rounding a corner and finding myself confronted by a life-size upside-down thatched roof that surely must be the exception. Alex Chinneck’s structure made of water reed, steel and timber is massive at 410 x 378 (diameter) cm. The upended roof is balancing on its weather vane - an impressive piece of engineering and Alex tells a group of us huddled in its shadow that there is a massive concrete block embedded in the soil which supports his ‘sculpture’.
Alex is the youngest of the artists in Sculpture Al Fresco 2013 and although his upturned roof may bemuse many, he talks with enthusiasm about his work and the months of thought and experimentation that led his to his final creation. How much more interesting conceptual art is when artists explain the journey to get there.
Some of the pieces are more straightforward and need no explanation; Rick Kirby’s fabulous steel work including a mystical steel face in the trees and beautiful glassworks by Sally Fawkes and Richard Jackson.
And then there are some works that I don’t quite get, although the artists’ passion as they talk about them is infectious. Jesse Wine’s glazed ceramic mound called “Who’s that blob’ has been created by left over bits of clay in his studio, but who am I to challenge that as art? He says he mainly uses clay to create ‘fragile, imperfect art-objects’. And Brian Griffith’s vases with their tiny embedded clowns would perhaps draw questions from the realists but they are still creations explored and developed over time.
Marcelle Joseph has lovingly curated this invigorating exhibition of work by an eclectic and interesting group of artists who are clearly respected and known internationally.
I hope that this grand house with its celebrated Arts & Crafts gardens aren’t off-putting for the general public who want to view the art. It should be seen as an added attraction as once inside the grand gates the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming.
I shall definitely pay it another visit - for one thing I must check that the glorious thatched roof is still balancing on its tiny peg.
The exhibition is open to all and runs until September 26th. Sculpture Al Fresco, at Great Fosters, Egham, Surrey TW20 9UR Open every day from 10am to 6pm. www.greatfosters.co.uk
For the duration of this summer, 13 contemporary artists have been asked to respond to the unique and glorious setting and history of the estate which was originally built as the hunting lodge for King Henry Vlll in 1550 AD.
I visit on a sunny press day when the artists are present and the gorgeous brochure, an absolute work of art in itself, tells us that the majority of the 22 works on display were created in the artists’ studio calling upon materials such as bronze, steel, wood, clay and glass.
Rounding a corner and finding myself confronted by a life-size upside-down thatched roof that surely must be the exception. Alex Chinneck’s structure made of water reed, steel and timber is massive at 410 x 378 (diameter) cm. The upended roof is balancing on its weather vane - an impressive piece of engineering and Alex tells a group of us huddled in its shadow that there is a massive concrete block embedded in the soil which supports his ‘sculpture’.
Alex is the youngest of the artists in Sculpture Al Fresco 2013 and although his upturned roof may bemuse many, he talks with enthusiasm about his work and the months of thought and experimentation that led his to his final creation. How much more interesting conceptual art is when artists explain the journey to get there.
Some of the pieces are more straightforward and need no explanation; Rick Kirby’s fabulous steel work including a mystical steel face in the trees and beautiful glassworks by Sally Fawkes and Richard Jackson.
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| Figure Head by Rick Kirby |
And then there are some works that I don’t quite get, although the artists’ passion as they talk about them is infectious. Jesse Wine’s glazed ceramic mound called “Who’s that blob’ has been created by left over bits of clay in his studio, but who am I to challenge that as art? He says he mainly uses clay to create ‘fragile, imperfect art-objects’. And Brian Griffith’s vases with their tiny embedded clowns would perhaps draw questions from the realists but they are still creations explored and developed over time.
Marcelle Joseph has lovingly curated this invigorating exhibition of work by an eclectic and interesting group of artists who are clearly respected and known internationally.
I hope that this grand house with its celebrated Arts & Crafts gardens aren’t off-putting for the general public who want to view the art. It should be seen as an added attraction as once inside the grand gates the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming.
I shall definitely pay it another visit - for one thing I must check that the glorious thatched roof is still balancing on its tiny peg.
The exhibition is open to all and runs until September 26th. Sculpture Al Fresco, at Great Fosters, Egham, Surrey TW20 9UR Open every day from 10am to 6pm. www.greatfosters.co.uk
