by Edwina Baines edwina@theblackmorevale.co.uk
ART
Adam Binder’s ‘Boris’ greets visitor to the ‘FORM’ exhibition at Sculpture by the Lakes Image - Edwina Baines
FORM
The Sculpture Exhibition at Sculpture by the Lakes A monumental, two ton, four metre high Polar Bear (named Boris!), floating on an iceberg in the middle of the water first greets the visitor to the ‘Form’ exhibition at Sculpture by the Lakes, near Dorchester. This spectacular, incongruous vision is the creation of wildlife sculptor, Adam Binder, and alongside the Canada geese, grebes and Muscovy ducks enjoying the Spring sunshine on the lakes, it raises awareness of all species under threat, whilst also highlighting climate change. Indeed, there are one hundred outdoor sculptures carefully placed around the park, visually enhancing their surroundings many more indoor pieces are on display in the galleries, overall the work of over thirty of the UK’s top sculptors. In 2007, the old fishing business at Pallington Lakes
was purchased by Simon and Monique Gudgeon and Simon installed his original sculptures around the lakes for clients to see his work outdoors rather than leaving them in storage:
“Large monumental sculptures do not work in a gallery.” “They are out of scale and out of context. The landscape can enhance the sculpture and the sculpture can enhance the landscape.” The Sculpture Park opened in 2011 and has been growing and evolving ever since, for Simon, with his keen interest in art, history and mythology, is constantly adding to and redesigning areas of the garden: “You buy art because you love it. The investment is in the quality of life and what it actually gives to you.”
Initially qualifying as solicitor, he did not pursue this career but instead became a financial advisor, a landscape gardener and even a housesitter. He then started painting and realised he wanted to be an artist, the key being: “Practise and practise and practise.” Initially thinking sculpture would be more difficult than painting, he immediately fell in love with it, and the first piece of his to be installed was Thoth, the Egyptian God of the Moon, often depicted with an ibis head. The body of this elegant piece reflects that abstracted curve of the bird and simulates the curve of the moon. Although he started off as a wildlife sculptor, he has now digressed into abstract, figurative and kinetic work:
“One thing I really like about sculpture is its Form.” 87
