Cotswold Sculptors Association opened its latest exhibition at Newark Park on Friday, entitled New Work at Newark: A Sculpture Exhibition.
The exhibition, at the historic National Trust property near Wotton-under-Edge, showcases the work of five artists, inspired by the history and environment of Newark Park.
Work is on show inside the 16th century former hunting lodge, with other pieces in the summer house and the grounds of the property. The invited sculptors exhibiting are Ella Daniel-Lowe, Ian Knight, Kate McMahon-Parkes, Shirley Sharp and Tim Wells who have each produced ‘new work’ for the exhibition.
Each artist invites visitors to look again at Newark Park, revealing fresh perspectives on its past and present. Situated in the garden and the house, their work brings to life stories of Cistercian monks, historical courtship, hidden gardens, rich local wildlife, and imagined voices from history. Some of the materials used also come directly from the surrounding landscape, including local clay, wood and wool.
Following the dissolution of the monasteries in the early 16th century, Sir Nicholas Poyntz used material from the demolished Kingswood Abbey to build a hunting lodge which he named ‘Newwork’. It was transformed into a home in the 17th century. It has been a National Trust visitor attraction since 2000.
The exhibition, which opened on Friday, runs until November 1st and is open daily from 10am – 5pm.
Pictures by Matt Bigwood
