Avebury Manor Gardens Hosts Largest Sculpture Exhibition Featuring 23 Artists and Over 100 Artworks

Sayart

sayart2022@gmail.com | 2025-09-30 07:46:48

More than 100 artworks have gone on display at Avebury Manor Garden in Wiltshire, marking the largest sculpture exhibition ever held at the historic National Trust property. The annual exhibition, which first began in 2016, features pieces from 23 different artists strategically placed throughout the gardens' eleven distinct rooms, connected by topiary, walls, and gateways.

The impressive collection includes a wide variety of artistic works, from colorful pottery to a large metal Velociraptor sculpture created by artist Daren Greenhow, which has been positioned in the manor's orchard. Another notable piece is "The Coiling Fern" by Chris Kampf, which uses the garden's natural foliage as its backdrop. The sculptures are distributed across the property's trees, walled garden areas, and expansive lawns.

Head Gardener Garry Mumford described the exhibition as a highlight of the year, noting that visitors can now find "art hidden around every corner" throughout the garden's interconnected spaces. His personal favorite is a bronze sculpture titled "Hide and Seek Owl & Mouse" by Martin Adamson, which features an owl perched on a tall piece of timber, looking down at a mouse below. "There's a lovely bronze owl looking down at a mouse, on a tall piece of timber and I just think it tells a wonderful story," Mumford explained.

Amelia Bryan, senior house and collections officer for the National Trust, works closely with the participating artists to determine the optimal placement for each sculpture. "We give a rough idea of where we want them to go and where it might look good and they kind of fine-tune around that," Bryan said. She emphasized the natural integration of the artworks into the landscape, adding, "To just have them embedded in the shrubbery is very beautiful. They bring the garden alive."

All artwork displayed in the exhibition is available for purchase, with proceeds going directly toward the maintenance and upkeep of Avebury Manor Garden. The 2024 exhibition will continue to run daily through October 19, providing visitors with the opportunity to experience this unique combination of historical gardens and contemporary art throughout the autumn season.

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