Summer Sculpture at the Savill Garden, Windsor Great Park throughout August 2011

20th July 2011

Visitors to The Savill Garden throughout August will be able to explore and enjoy a display of imaginative and innovative Sculpture, forming a trail which leads around the Garden. There is something to appeal to all ages, from the abstract to the figurative and everything in between. Some pieces are clever, some funny and some are simply beautiful.

Artists from all over the UK were invited to submit sculpture in any medium suitable for display outside, depicting some aspect of the natural world, flora or fauna in representational or abstract form.

Commenting on the exhibition, Savill Building Manager Anna Marshall says:

“We wanted to do something a bit different. When looking at the selection criteria we wanted to include a good representation of different materials and styles and something to appeal to everyone. We want to add to the enjoyment of a visit to the Garden and we have achieved this by creating a sculpture trail that leads visitors through the Garden with tantalising glimpses of the next sculpture. There are surprises at every turn including neon roses, monkeys made from recycled metal household items, a scrap metal bird and traditional stone carvings.”

Harvey Stephens, Head of The Savill Garden, adds:

“Selecting and positioning the pieces has been interesting in relation to the Garden itself. We have looked at where sculptures will work in the context of the Garden and in relation to the colours and textures of flowers, shrubs and trees. The Garden looks and smells fantastic through the month of August and we hope that the sculpture exhibition will encourage visitors to see the Garden in a different way.”

The sculptures can be found within the different areas of The Savill Garden. The Summer Gardens will be in their prime and visitors will experience the intensity of perfume and colour of 2,500 roses in the contemporary Rose Garden which was opened last year and the senses will continue to be stimulated at every turn with different scents, colour combinations and views. The walkway in the centre of the design appears to ‘float’ above the Rose Garden, giving stunning views within the Garden and further out into other areas of The Savill Garden. As the deep aroma of the roses naturally rises, visitors will also be able to enjoy the perfume at its best from the walkway.

The Herbaceous Borders will be looking stunning in August. Measuring over 100 m long and 11 m deep, the Borders form the heart of the Summer Gardens. Innovative new planting over the last three years based on the idea of creating flowing ribbons of intense primary colours from yellow through orange to red and purple, has given the traditional concept of border design a modern twist. The Dry Garden brings drifts of vibrant free flowering plants and the pastel shades in the Golden Jubilee Garden will captivate visitors.

Ends

Notes to Editors:

1.  The Savill Garden is providing the rare opportunity to exhibit sculptural work in a selling exhibition to run throughout August 2011. The Savill Garden creates a unique environment in which to show these pieces, reflecting the natural themes of the sculptures within thirty five acres of ornamental gardens and woodland. The Savill Garden is part of The Royal Landscape, which also includes the Valley Gardens and Virginia Water.

2.  The Savill Garden is open all year (except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). Admission prices to The Savill Garden Summer 2011 (March-October): Adults £8.50; Seniors £7.95; Groups (10+) £6.95; Children (6-16) £3.75; Coach Driver Free; Carers Free; Blue Badge Guides Free; Group organiser/leader Free (1 per group and Garden admission only).

3.  For more information about the Sculpture Exhibition call 01784 435544 or visit www.theroyallandscape.co.uk

4.  The Crown Estate manages a highly diverse property business valued at more than £7 billion.  We pay our surplus revenue (profit) to the Treasury for the benefit of the nation every year: in 2010/11 this was £230.9 million. Over the past ten years The Crown Estate has paid nearly £2 billion to the Treasury.

5.  Our objectives, which are laid down by Parliament under the Crown Estate Act 1961, include enhancing the value of the estate and the revenue it produces. The responsibilities of The Crown Estate are to maintain and enhance the value of the estate and its income over the long term and to do this having regard to good management.  In summary, The Crown Estate is a successful business organisation guided by our core values – commercialism, integrity and stewardship.

6.  The Crown Estate manages a diverse property portfolio which includes office, retail and industrial premises; housing; farmland; forestry and minerals; parkland; and around half the foreshore and almost all the seabed around the UK. The Crown Estate’s property comprises four estates: Urban, Marine, Rural and Windsor.

For more press information call Sarah Halstead, Marketing Dept, The Crown Estate, on 07918 121905 or email Sarah.Halstead@thecrownestate.co.uk