The Surrey Sculpture Society (SSS) will be staging its 21st Sculpture Trail at RHS Garden Wisley from 18th August - 23rd September - one of the most popular exhibitions of sculpture in the country.

Visitors to the sculpture trail will discover a diverse range of works, from abstract to traditional pieces, thoughtfully positioned throughout the RHS garden’s 240 acres, within 25 inspirational garden settings. Sculptures created by the Society’s emerging and professional sculptors will be placed around the garden’s iconic Jellicoe Canal feature, through the woodland walk at Battleston Hill and the Mediterranean Terraces, Bowes-Lyon Rose Garden, Alpine Meadow, Exotic and Cottage Gardens.

Henriette Van der Does, Chair of the SSS commented: ‘The Arts Council recently compiled some interesting figures on the increasing numbers of people visiting sculpture events. Last year the Surrey Sculpture Society experienced higher visitor numbers to all of our events resulting in our most successful year since we began. We are hoping that our 21st annual Sculpture Trail at RHS Garden Wisley will attract even more visitors, as there seems to be a growing desire for people to get outside to reconnect with nature and discover art in beautiful settings.’

The range of styles by these talented sculptors creates affordable and original pieces that can form eye-catching focal points in gardens, conservatories or interiors. Sculptors work with a broad range of materials including stone, metal, bronze, resin, glass, ceramic, wood and found objects. All sculptures are for sale.

Renowned Sculptor invited as guest exhibitor
To celebrate the 21st sculpture trail at RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey Sculpture Society has invited renowned sculptor Michael Speller, official artist for the London Olympics, as a special guest exhibitor. His beautifully balanced slender sculptural figures are often impressed with emotive words. One of his most recent commissions combined 210 figures to form a huge open bronze sphere for The Crown Charity, Greenwich Hospital, London.
Michael’s work has also formed the centre piece of gold medal winning show garden at RHS Chelsea.

Henriette Van der Does commented: ‘We are very excited about having such an accomplished and highly respected sculptor as Michael Speller exhibiting with us in our 21st year at RHS Garden Wisley,’

Belinda Betts, Head of Site at RHS Garden Wisley, said: “The Surrey Sculpture Society Trail is a popular attraction for many of our visitors. Now in its 21st year, the trail continues to showcase a diverse variety of sculptures within the beautiful setting of the garden in late summer. Look for the sculptures as you wander through the garden and discover an exciting new perspective.”

Admission to the Sculpture Trail is included in entrance to RHS Garden Wisley.

The exhibition opens on 18th August and will run until 23 September.
Opening times: Monday to Friday 10am – 6pm, Saturday – Sunday and Bank Holidays 9am – 6pm

RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB
Tel: 01483 224234 or www.rhs.org.uk/wisley for details of entrance fees.

For information on Surrey Sculpture Society visit www.surreysculpture.org.uk

Tags: Wisley Gardens, RHS, RHS Garden Wisley, Sculpture

Hosts Surrey Sculpture Society Trail

22 August – 27 September 2015

RHS Garden Wisley welcomes the Surrey Sculpture Society into its beautiful grounds for the annual Surrey Sculpture Society Trail. This event brings together unique art works created by some of the most renowned artists, both established and emerging, from the South East.

The sculpture trail will open to the public on 22 August and run until 27 September 2015. Visitors to RHS Garden Wisley will discover a wide range of sculptures located throughout the grounds. The sculptures are made in stone, metal, bronze, resin, glass, ceramic, wood and found objects, and will be available to buy for a range of prices.

Teresa Martin, Surrey Sculpture Society’s exhibition manager for the event, said: “The Sculpture Trail at the RHS Garden Wisley in 2015 will echo some of the surreal aspects of the Alice in Wonderland garden with a diminutive ceramic merchant’s house and highly magnified plant forms on the Rock Garden that play with your sense of scale. There are intriguing and enchanting modelled forms cast with durable metal resins and some glorious celebratory shapes carved in stone, while the glass sculptures are stunning this year. The sad and the joyful aspects of our world are touched on by the artists, and some will definitely make visitors smile as they wander through the trail and find another piece round a corner in these magnificent gardens.”

Stephanie Fudge, Head of RHS Garden Wisley, said, “The Surrey Sculpture Trail at RHS Garden Wisley is an extremely popular event. The art is so beautifully presented and visitors can enjoy the garden setting at its best with the Mixed Borders in full flower. We enjoy seeing the sculptures change each year, and we love working with the Surrey Sculpture Society.”

Enjoy the delights of the trail when you visit for the floral extravaganza of the late-summer RHS Wisley Flower Show, 8 – 13 September, and the creative inspiration from spectacular colour of the the spectacular colour of the varied late-summer plantings throughout the garden.

Normal garden entry applies. For more information visit www.rhs.org.uk

Tags: What's on, Surrey Sculpture Society Trail, Wisley Gardens, Sculpture, Surrey, Surrey Sculpture Society, RHS Garden Wisley