Statuesque

about the land

This summer, the gardens of Helmingham Hall will play host to a stunning selection of over 300 sculptures curated by the team at Art for Cure. With its walled garden, wooded pathways, heritage apple walk, archways and avenues, the gardens are a spectacular backdrop for this very special exhibition.

The sculpture trail features pieces from over fifty eminent UK sculptors including Suffolkbased Paul Richardson, whose work ‘Falling Leaves’ was previously on display at Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Show, and beautifully expressive figures by Carol Peace and Beatrice Hoffman. In amongst the trees, the ethereal 3D mesh sculptures of internationally renowned David Begbie take on an almost spiritual quality, whilst the striking figure, ‘Virtual Mortal’ by Joseph Hillier casts a haunting reflection in the still waters of the moat. As you explore the gardens you may come across Tanya Russell’s bronze dogs playing in the wildflower meadow, or the work of Andrew Kay, whose life-size stag gazes wistfully across ancient parkland towards the herd of red deer beyond.

The award-winning gardens at Helmingham Hall have always been a huge draw for visitors, and on a bright spring morning we take a tour with head gardener Brendan Arundel. Much of the garden was designed in the early 80s by Chelsea Gold medal winner Lady Xa Tollemache and, although she is still very much involved, the mantle has now been handed to her daughter-in-law, Sophie, who is an active member of the hands-on team in the garden. We start at the coach house where an avenue of snow pears, their pretty blossom sprinkling the path with white confetti, leads to the rose garden. Here a mix of hybrid, damask, centifolia and David Austin roses have been interplanted with spring bulbs and late-flowering perennials, all edged with Hidcote lavender to ensure a lasting season of colour and beautiful fragrance. The knot and herb garden is planted with thyme, rosemary, sage and mint and was cleverly designed to be viewed from the windows of the hall, the pattern of the knots depicting the distinctive frets of the Tollemache crest.

We skirt the edge of the moat where a huge zinc coated fish looks very happy swimming in its clear waters. The banks have been planted with a mix of oxeye daisies, orchids and other wildflowers that lie in wait, biding their time until summer arrives, whilst the outer edges of the garden have been left wild, and here woodland shrubs, grasses and cow parsley are a haven for wildlife. To the west of the hall, the trail takes us along the apple tree walk where, interspersed between the heritage apples, the most amazing range of sculptures have taken root. The work of Anne Curry perfectly captivates the beauty of unfurling flower buds and seed pods and Jeremy Moulsdale’s spiritual figures offer them themselves up to the sun and the moon. We wander through the wildflower meadow to the newest part of the garden where teardrop beds of gaura and camassia sit beneath a canopy of silver birch, crab apple and cherry. Be delighted by the whimsy of a tiny snail on a ball, a moon gazing hare, the splendour of Lilly Henry’s Dancing Stones, and the celebrated stone carvings of Nicholas Moreton.

Along the Yew Walk, a quiet secluded area with a magic all of its own, we discover Emma Fenelon’s architectural ceramic towers, and beneath the majestic boughs of the wondrous Cedar of Lebanon, glimpse an octopus dancing in the wind and a family of fairies hiding amongst the foliage. Finally, we enter the stunning walled kitchen garden, home to exquisite herbaceous borders and immaculate vegetable beds interspersed by tunnels of sweet peas, runner beans and gourds. Take time to take in the truly fabulous selection of sculptures that have made their home here amongst the beds of delphinium, hellebore, peonies, and a sea of bobbing poppies. Enormous steel seed heads sway next to exquisitely detailed bronze swallows and sleek marble kestrels, and the hauntingly beautiful faces of Angela Farquharson seemingly fix their sights on Rachel Ducker’s playful wirework figures. Rather than fighting for our attention, this unique pairing of natural beauty and the arts only heightens our appreciation for both. It is a magnificent celebration of both the gardens and the incredibly talented artists whose sculptures have found such resonance here and I would encourage you to visit whilst you can. www.artforcure.org.uk / www.helmingham.com

The Sculpture Trail is on until 17th Sept. Open Mon-Thurs and Sun. All works are for sale with 30% going to Art for Cure.

About Design