Newby Hall Sculpture Park

2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007.

The owners of Newby Hall, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, Richard and Lucinda Compton host a temporary Summer exhibition of sculpture in the grounds and woodlands each year. Many well-known sculptors exhibit their work including Anthony Caro, Lynn Chadwick, Michael Lyons and Nicola Hicks. Gillian has been invited to show every year since 2002..

'Wind farm', 2004.
The sculpture bears a passing resemblance to a group of wind turbines, conveying a sense of movement and energy up in the air. The piece plays on the contradictions that wind farms give rise to: environmental yet man-made, old and new technology, the practical and the quixotic.

'Draw-rings (squeeze), (slice) and (drop)', 2003.
These 'Draw-rings' are some of a larger series of sculpture for outdoors. The title 'Draw-rings' comes from the description often given of the artist's work that it is like drawing in space.

Each sculpture is based on a circle or 'ring', which implies movement in space, with each piece describing a particular physical action or event. The sculpture can be displayed as individual pieces or as a group.

'Please open (and close) the gates', 2002.
"Please Open (and Close) the Gates" Gillian's series of 'adjustable' sculpture was made specifically for the Park and is based on the many iron gates along the avenues of Newby Hall's gardens.

Each individual piece in the series can be moved so that people can 'open' them and therefore rearrange the sculpture. It is a comment on the transition from the formal gardens of this stately home to the wilder more 'natural' woodlands, and of the accessiblity of the place, now open to the (paying) public.

Back

All images © Gillian Brent