Today the sun was out in all it's glory and I just couldn't resist going for a little stroll around Farnham Sculpture Park and boy, I wasn't disappointed. I think everyone knows that I am a huge lover of sculpture and I have been waiting nearly a year to visit this hidden gem since one of my wonderful students recommended it to me. I took my time to wander around the 10 acres of peaceful woodland and water gardens, running into wildlife and checking out all the 500 odd sculptures on display. It felt like I was a million miles from civilisation and I couldn't of asked for more on a beautiful summers day!
So, I started my journey from a shed-like office inside the middle of the park and was given a choice of adventurous, coloured routes to follow. With my map and price list in hand I typically chose the longest route - about a mile and a half - and followed the winding paths through various levels of woodland to a peaceful river for a spot of lunch on a handmade bench. Every turn I made was full of surprises as I passed a wide spectrum of modern and contemporary metal works from names such as Lucy Kinsella and Michael Marriott. As an art teacher it was refreshing to see curating at it's best. It is the only place I have been to where a giant winged eagle made of corks can sit next to a sculpture of mirrored punctuation !@?. Each sculpture worked together, despite the huge difference in subject matter and appearance. I don't know how, but it did. Perhaps it was the charm of this place.
What I particularly loved about this art wonderland is that there was something for everyone... I even managed to drag my car obsessed partner around to give him the perfect insight into British sculpture and fresh, graduate talent. It is also a great way to encourage the enjoyment of site specific art with your students and show that art can exist outside the four white walls of a gallery. If you have a spare few minutes watch their YouTube channel videos for a great visual tour or follow Eddie, curator of the park on Twitter and 'like' their Facebook page here. You may of even seen some of the parks sculptures already as some selected favourites are currently on loan at the olympic village supporting team GB - how fantastic that our athletes are getting a little taste of art!
Do you have a favourite sculpture park? We'd love to hear all about your sculptural adventure/s!
- Kirsty ❤
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