It’s that time of year when the Surrey Sculpture Society come to Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens in West Sussex for their summer exhibition and a fabulous Sussex sculpture trail. Surrey Sculpture Society is a group of about 250 artists with a mixture of emerging artists and well-known professionals. Their members have a diverse range of styles and skills. A number of their members are Sussex artists.
This is the third year they have held an exhibition at Leonardslee and come rain or shine, it is well worth a visit. In fact, I think this is their best year yet and as a Sussex sculpture trail, it’s perfect for the unpredictable English weather.
There is a lot else to see at Leonardslee (such as the Anton Smit sculptures, the Dolls House, the wallabies and the wine)! And you can always take shelter in the coffee shop. This is also a great trail for children as it’s a chance for them to enjoy and absorb art and creativity in a very relaxed setting.
What to expect
There are 77 pieces of art to see as part of this trail. But don’t worry there is also a handy map which they give out at the Airsteam a short distance from the main entrance.
As you follow the route, it’s quite fun trying to make sure you’ve spotted everything. The map also identifies each piece of work and artist. It’s difficult to say how long it will take you because that depends on how much you dwell on each piece but you need at least an hour and a half, and that’s just for the trail.
The work on display is incredibly diverse so there is something for everyone but it’s also a really good opportunity to push your own boundaries and explore what you like – as opposed to what you think you like.
I am always surprised by the restrictions of my own mind. And on a day of shifting clouds and changing light, it’s really interesting to see how the light affects your perception of the different work.
The choice of different settings also always provides food for thought. For example, what’s not to love about the idea of dolphins riding on a sea of blue hydrangeas?
And the red of the Keeper and the Pirate against the startling blues and purples of the agapanthus – what a fabulous assault of colour.
This Sussex sculpture trail will never be done justice with photographs. You just have to visit. It’s a great initiative and a great way to support local artists, as well as providing creative food for the soul.
The exhibition is on until the 20th of August and Leonardslee is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
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