Jubilee lV - Lynn Chadwick
The cathedral and its grounds makes a stunning showcase for a major sculpture exhibition of 100 works featuring 60 British sculptors including Henry Moore, Antony Gormley, Damien Hirst, Lynn Chadwick, and Eduardo Paolozzi.
Sitting couple on bench - Lynn Chadwick
Lynn's works are in most major collections, MoMA, The Tate, George Pompidou. He owned an historic manor house in the hills near to where I live, and filled the park surrounding the house with his large sculptural works. It is now the home of his son, Daniel, who is also a sculptor
H came home from a meeting last week having caught sight of this hippo and suggested that I might enjoy a visit - I wonder why?
The Thief - D.Mach
A close up of the above figure reveals that it is cleverly made out of chicken wire soldered together
Pomona - R. Brown
This cloister may be familiar to Harry Potter fans - it has featured in all the films
Constellation Mobile 2014 - Daniel Chadwick
No descriptions regarding the sculptures were given, and it was not until I was back home viewing the images on the computer that I realised the Fallen Angel was in fact a drug abuser
I wonder if it is made of solid gold? Hirst's platinum skull was covered in 8,601 diamonds!!!
Henry Moore
I leave you with what I consider to be two surreal heads by J. Humphreys
I found these two heads slightly scary - was it due to their juxtaposition with John and Ann Bower's tomb?
The exhibition is free and runs until the 21st November.
Wonderful sculptures Rosemary, they do fit well at the Cathedral. I like the Fallen Angel, I see her wrong doing..
ReplyDeleteRegards,Margaret
There are so many perfect spots to show the sculptures in the cathedral from the vaulted ceilings to the cloisters and its garden.
DeleteHow fantastic, an exhibition in and around the great Cathedral. I do like the couple in picture 1, who look as if they are going in to see it too. I'm not sure what to make of The Thief: very powerful but quite gruesome I think. The golden Fallen Angel is very Damian Hirst with all that gold. I like the addition of the beautiful wings. Agree, the Humphreys heads are a bit scary - not for children, perhaps? Cute hippos.. Thank you for sharing this visit, Rosemary.
ReplyDeleteGlad that you enjoyed seeing them Patricia - There was a strange effect shining through the Thief from the stained glass window at various points which has been slightly captured in my photo.
DeleteWhat an interesting exhibition ... I'm wondering if we might be able to fit in a visit before it finishes.
ReplyDeleteIt would be lovely if you can Marina - still more than a month to go.
DeleteOh, how I wish Gloucester Cathedral wasn't so far away. This is an exhibition I definitely would love to see. So thank you so much sweet Rosemary for bringing us along. Beautiful sculptures and in that setting it gives a whole new dimension as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you for a lovely post Rosemary and have a lovely day.
Charlie
xx
Dear Charlie - a magnificent cathedral just seems to lend itself to displaying sculpture with its vaulted height, long cloisters and large open spaces.
DeleteI wish you could see it yourself too, and incredibly, for this day and age when everything costs so much, it is free for all to visit♡
I rather like the couple in the first photo too. It is your love of nature that came to mind when H saw the hippo, obviously.
ReplyDeleteYes, and Jessica, I do have a particularly strange passion for hippos, especially the pygmy ones.
DeleteWhat a wonderful setting for the sculptures. I especially love the Lynn Chadwick figures.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree, something like the very large figures by Lynn Chadwick do require equally bold architecture to set them off.
DeleteHello Rosemary, That magnificent setting at Gloucester Cathedral seems to complement every work of art. One of my favorites is the Chadwick mobile--the soaring vault and the branching mobile each explore and articulate space in different ways. The Humphreys heads truly are bizarre, with their hyper-realism and oddness of scale. The one with the bulging eyes reminds me of some of Jan Svankmajer's work, especially the final segment of Dimensions of Dialogue.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Humphrey has worked on numerous films sculpting and creating special effects and prosthetic
Deletemake-up - I think that perhaps explains his rather surreal heads.
The Chadwick mobile was probably my favourite too, we watched it moving around in fascination, as surprisingly, it didn't all move in the same direction
Such an interesting juxtaposition. The Thief - WOW! That piece....not sure how I feel about it. It definitely has a presence. I do love Constellation Mobile. It's beautifully placed.
ReplyDeleteIf I had a high vaulted ceiling the Constellation Mobile would be what I would like - The Thief had very interesting effects shining through it from the stained glass window behind.
DeleteThe old(cathedral) and the new(sculptures) beautifully melting together. So worth a visit! Thank you for sharing it with all of us Rosemary. I absolutely love the constellation mobile. Those heads do look scary! And I can easily see Harry, Ron and Hermione walk that cloister alley.
ReplyDeleteWhen they were filming Harry Potter the whole film crew and all the actors would be a great attraction to the youngsters who live in the area.
DeleteI think that the Constellation Mobile has the popularity vote.
A striking exhibit, most of the sculptures seem designed to evoke a strong reaction. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteMany of the sculptures did challenge the viewers conventional perceptions - I think that is why I liked the Constellations Mobile.
DeleteI love the juxtaposition of modern art and ancient cathedral!
ReplyDeleteIt seemed the perfect venue I thought.
DeleteAbsolutely superb and right up my street. I am a bit of a art junkie myself and would enjoy this so much. I feel a trip to Gloucester on the cards.
ReplyDeleteHaste ye to Gloucester Mr. Paul all of this for free.
DeleteDear Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to see such modern sculpture juxtaposed to ancient architecture. What's really interesting, to me, is how well some of it works together. I'm thinking particularly how the mobile in your circular shot makes the ceiling look very contemporary.
The mobile was perfect hanging in the vaulted ceiling - we sat and watching it continually turning in different directions all at the same time, and couldn't quite understand how that was the case.
DeleteI do like modern sculpture but have to say I prefer something I can feel and stroke rather than the angular and sharp edged. The mobile is very effective.
ReplyDeleteThe mobile seems to be everyones number one.
DeleteI'm not sure that most of these sculptures are really my sort of thing, in fact I find some of them rather disturbing, but that is just me, and I appreciate that a lot of work and thought goes into them. I am sure that if one knew more about them they could be quite thought provoking too. xx
ReplyDeleteIt is quite difficult with contemporary sculpture, most of it would not fit comfortably in anyones home or garden. I collect tiny bronze sculptures which fit in the palm of your hand, more affordable and don't take up too much space.
DeleteThe old meets the new...I like it! Many interesting sculptures...
ReplyDeleteHave a beautiful day!
Titti
It is a wonderful setting for the contemporary sculpture - the sun is shining and hope it is with you too.
DeleteEnjoyed your tour around the sculptures. They look great, and in such fabulous surroundings. Henry Moore's reclining figure reminds me of me as a teenager, trying to put on a particularly tight pair of jeans. Thanks for flagging this exhibition up. Hope to go.
ReplyDeleteHope you manage a visit Katharine - I shall view the Henry Moore from a different perspective now!
DeleteI like that those sculpture exhibitions in the open air, very nice pictures.
ReplyDeleteThe surroundings make a perfect venue for the sculpture - glad you enjoyed seeing them
DeleteI adore sculptures. They are always powerful and cover such a wide range of subject matter and mediums. I still remember being in awe of the Henry Moore's that I use to play alongside in Battersea Park as a child.
ReplyDeleteJean x
Dear Jean - Henry Moore particularly liked his work to be put in outside accessible areas and scattered around remote parts of the countryside. Unfortunately, as we now know to our cost, when valuable objects are not protected, they sadly disappear forever.
DeleteWhat an interesting exhibition and what an interesting place to feature all the sculptures. Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteIngrid x
It is a great exhibition featuring some of the major sculptors of the day, and surprising that it costs nothing whatsoever to visit - thank you for your comment Ingrid.
DeleteVery interesting, and it got me wondering what it is about a modern sculpture that can make it seem suitable for a historic setting. There used to be a concept of "good manners in architecture" - meaning that the new addition didn't have to be the same as the old but had to complement rather than fight with it. I have spent some time thinking about this. Lynn Chadwick's sculpture isn't right, Pomona somehow is. To name but two.
ReplyDeleteOr that's what I think anyway.
I have really enjoyed reading your observations Jenny and as a result have further considered Lynn Chadwick's work. Although the cathedral can cope with such large scale work, I know that these pieces normally sit on the hillsides to Chadwick's home in the Cotswolds. I think possibly these hills are a more comfortable site for such commanding figures.
DeleteAll are extremely interesting, each in their own way, however, the amazingly beautiful facades of the cathedral itself speak to me - they are truly powerful.
ReplyDeleteGosh, that John Bower was something else - poor Ann must have been pregnant her entire married life!
Great pics. Rosemary, thank you for bringing this huge body of work by Britain's sculptors to us so far away.
Mary x
Dear Mary - so many of the old tombs show family children around the base and they are called 'weepers' many of whom died as babies or in infancy - there is normally a whole tribe of them. I personally am grateful that I was born in an age when women have choice, the thought of having such a lot of children with many of them dying as babies or infants, must have been both heartbreaking and an ordeal.
DeleteOh goodness I agree with you about the heads! What a perfect place to display the sculptures. I would have missed the clue on the angels arm too. Drug users do fall from Grace..and sadly take all who love them down a sad sad road.
ReplyDeleteI had thought that the golden angel was a bit too traditional and tame for Damien Hirst so I wasn't at all surprised to discover the syringe, spoon and tourniquet when I looked closer.
DeleteHello dear Rosmary,
ReplyDeleteI have been absent for a few weeks.. I posted this morning.
I am catching up now with my friends posts.
This exhibit is amazing.
Poor Mary Bower. All those children.! A very strange tomb indeed.
The imagination of these artists is beyond comprehension.. I think they are genius.
What a grand place to show them all in.
Its times like this, that I wish i was in London.. to see all the wonderful exhibits and art shows, theatre and so on.!
The Gloucester cathedral is stunning.
Thank you for sharing your visit .. xx val
Dear Val - it is lovely to be back in touch with you again.
DeleteI think that we are very fortunate to have this important exhibition in Gloucester showing the sculptures of so many of the great twentieth century sculptors. Seeing the work showcased in and around the cathedral and being completely free as been a real treat.
Interesting and amazing sculptures, and the setting is fabulous ! Wishing you a pleasant weekend.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jane - a pleasant weekend to you too. The cathedral was a first class location to show off the sculptures.
DeleteThat's a wonderful location for all of those magnificent sculptures. Were there many people looking at them too it looks quite empty? Sarah x
ReplyDeleteDear Sarah - yes, there were lots of people visiting and looking, but I do my best to keep the public out of my photos. If I do, however, capture them, then I cut them out on the Picmonkey website!!!
DeleteVery modern the art of this church, I am impressed.
ReplyDeleteGreetings,
Filip
I made a great location for the exhibition
DeleteWhat a wonderful sculptures. I like to whatch them.
ReplyDeleteAnd your photos are great, also the collage is very beautiful.
Thank you Orvokki - I am pleased that you liked the collage, it seemed to be the best way to show the huge variety of sculpture at the exhibition.
DeleteI think it's great to see so many different styles together. The golden Fallen Angel looks spectacular in this setting.
ReplyDeleteAt first I thought that it was not typical of Damien Hirst until I noticed the 'little extras' that he had included in the sculpture.
Delete