Sculpture by Michael Turner
Beaulieu’s Palace House will be home to more than 250 incredible sculptures this summer, with a brand new exhibition showcasing the work of over 50 international and national sculptors, throughout the grounds and gardens and inside the Montagu family home.
Sculpture at Beaulieu from June 19 to August 30t will bring together an astonishing variety of eye-catching and thought-provoking works by highly acclaimed sculptors, all taking their places in the atmospheric historic setting.
Building on the success of its inaugural year in 2019, the work on show will encompass a diverse range of materials and methods, ranging from little to large, stone to steel, glass to mixed media and more.
In the grounds, look out for Adam Binder’s 12ft-tall sculpture of a polar bear, which raises awareness to the decline of this species under threat, and Rachael Long’s life-sized rhinoceros, ingeniously fashioned from salvaged industrial metalwork.
Local sculptor Michael Turner, who every year creates a trail of handmade poppies around the New Forest in aid of the Royal British Legion, will be contributing other breathtaking stainless steel works to the exhibition, including a peregrine falcon, leaping cheetah, horse’s head and leopard’s head.
Another local sculptor, based just a stone’s throw away from Beaulieu, is Gary Boulton, whose eye-catching kinetic and contemporary sculptures are inspired by nature, yet beautifully crafted from metal.
On a smaller scale, delightful sculptures of wild birds in the grounds, including owls, ravens, kestrels and kingfishers, are the creations of Paul Harvey, whose work can also be found in the Royal family’s own collection. Also celebrating the variety of animal kingdom are a life-sized bull, horse and bull terrier, all created in bronze by the late Brian Taylor.
Royal College of Art alumnus Paul Vanstone, whose stone figures have been exhibited at some of the world’s leading galleries, will be displaying a selection of powerful carvings. While Dawn Rowland, whose stunning carved heads explore the themes of duality and human relationships, will be displaying 13 stunning pieces across the Beaulieu Abbey cloister and inside Palace House.
Quite different but equally eye-catching are David Watkinson’s amazing kinetic sculptures, inspired by sycamore and dandelion seeds, which move in the breeze. Returning to Beaulieu is Rebecca Newnham, who will be showcasing her striking signature works that explore colour and natural energy, while Shaun Gagg will be displaying sculptures constructed from coins, nails, keys and other tiny objects painstakingly welded together.
With a line-up of more than 40 sculptors new to Beaulieu, along with returning artists showcasing new pieces, Sculpture at Beaulieu curators David Waghorne and Kate McGovern have chosen sculptors for their internationally-acclaimed work and diversity in materials and styles.
A socially-distanced, Covid-secure trail will guide visitors from piece to piece. If a particular sculpture captures your heart, the works on offer range in price from just £85 for the most petite and exquisite, right up to more than £100,000 for the biggest show-stoppers.
Curator David Waghorne said: “With every piece carefully selected to complement its setting, there will be an eclectic mix of work to be seen, from figurative sculptures and abstract pieces, to key signature pieces.
“With its own special atmosphere, the cloister of Beaulieu Abbey is a particularly sensitive area to curate, different again to the Wilderness Garden, Victorian Flower Garden and rooms of Palace House. Positioned across carefully defined zones, the sculptures have been chosen for these unique spaces.”
A catalogue of all of the exhibition sculptures can be purchased on arrival at Beaulieu’s Visitor Reception. Every piece on show will be for sale, with something to suit all tastes and budgets. For more details see www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/sculpture-at-beaulieu.
Sculpture at Beaulieu is included in an admission ticket to Beaulieu, which also includes the National Motor Museum, Little Beaulieu, World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, the ancestral Montagu home Palace House, Secret Army exhibition, 13th century Beaulieu Abbey and the stunning grounds and gardens.
