Multi-award-winning exhibition FORM: The Sculpture Show returns to the sculpture park at Pallington near Dorchester from April 1 to June 4, when over two hundred works by more than 35 leading contemporary sculptors will be shown its 26-acres of lakes, rivers, gardens, and woodlands as well as in the expansive gallery spaces.
Alongside new exhibiting artists and new works, FORM 2023 will, for the first time, offer a series of talks and events, including ‘Meet the Artist’ Q&A sessions with exhibiting sculptors, and workshops and demonstrations from the foundry Sculpture Castings.
Kicking it all off is a talk on March 30 with Andrew Graham-Dixon, the acclaimed art critic and award-winning arts journalist and broadcaster, best known as the presenter of numerous landmark series on art for the BBC and other networks.
Andrew Graham-Dixon returns to the sculpture park to present his talk Sculpture to See Before You Die, drawing on his career-long expertise to discuss some of the world’s most celebrated, influential, and iconic artworks, and sharing his definitive guide to the must-see pieces to seek out in your lifetime.
Simon Gudgeon, internationally renowned sculptor, and founder of Sculpture by the Lakes, said:
“FORM is always a special event, and we are really excited to see it continue to evolve through the relationships we’ve developed with some of the finest contemporary artists in the UK and beyond.”
“This year, not only have we curated a collection of sculptures of exceptional quality, but, for the first time, we are also offering an accompanying programme of events to further enrich the experience for visitors and buyers.”
“It’s a particular pleasure to welcome Andrew Graham-Dixon back to Sculpture by the Lakes to share his unique insights – we expect the event to be very popular.”
The Meet the Artists series will include a talk by exhibiting sculptor Lucianne Lassalle on April 2. Lucianne has exhibited globally at art fairs, galleries and privately over her 30-year career, and is known for creating ‘The Angel’, a sculpture given to bereaved families whose loved-one lost their life to Covid whilst working on the NHS frontline during the pandemic.
Carol Peace, whose work is shown and collected all over the UK, Europe, the Far East and United States, and is on permanent show at Glyndebourne and at the Dorchester’s country house hotel in Ascot, will host a talk on Easter Saturday April 8. Carol will have a solo show ‘Peace at the Retreat’ at Sculpture by the Lakes from April 7th – 30th 2023 where you can view her drawings and poems, integral to her practice, alongside her figurative sculptures.
The series of talks continues on May 28 with sculptor Ted Edley, a Dorset-based artist who creates detailed sculpture using steel, copper, brass, aluminium and unusual found objects. Edley is also a regular on Quest TVs ‘Salvage Hunters, the Restorers’ team.
In addition, there will be a number of talks about casting bronze sculpture from the team at foundry Sculpture Castings, including demonstrations of applying patina to a sculpture.
Adds Simon:
“With the addition of talks and workshops, FORM 2023 will be even more of an experiential event, providing a welcome opportunity for us to celebrate the creators as well as their creations.
“Expect to be inspired and uplifted, have your curiosity piqued, your emotions stirred, and your minds awoken, with a new surprise and a work of beauty around every turn.
“Our vision is for an experience which is inspiring, energising and enriching – as all great art should be. We look forward to sharing all of this with visitors and buyers in the coming months.”
Entry to The Sculpture Park is ticketed and the price remains £14.50 per person through the duration of the FORM exhibition. Entry to The Makers Yard at Sculpture by the Lakes, which includes The Gallery, The Kitchen café, and artisan shops The Pantry and The Store remains free of charge.
Artists’ talks will be free with entry to The Sculpture Park. Andrew Graham-Dixon’s talk will be a ticketed event – with tickets purchasable in advance when available at gallerybythelakes.co.uk
To book tickets visit
www.sculpturebythelakes.co.uk/
Photos by: Finnbarr Webster
