Trail plans

Our Quarry Trail has been postponed for a later date so we are now gearing up for a Sculpture Trail at the Magdalen Project on the Somerset/Dorset borders, which will take place sooner than originally planned. Set in this idyllic farm with lakes, a river and wooded ravines will be our creation of the Scraptorzoic Era - a fantasy fusion of Jurassic and a new Eden, involving floating sculptures and other surprises.  We hope to gain funding through Indiegogo to enable the Trail to go ahead.  More news as it develops… below is some work in progress by Fiona.

Bulbous Anthills on Spikes

scrap steel, wire and found materials

A closer look...

The leaflets for our Sculpture Trail at Stourhead are now available on site, to help visitors discover the full range of sculptures on show.  Some pieces are quite hidden and require an observant eye.   Here are a selection of interesting, close up views - taken by Jack (vjultra), our Scraptors photographer, and Fiona.  If you visit, look out for these:

The Trail Begins!

Chameleon and Egret (with interested, thirsty cows!)

Our Sculpture Trail at Stourhead National Trust Estate, entitled 'Beyond the Garden Gate', is now up and running throughout September (normal NT admission applies).  The past week was, for all of us, a huge exertion of energy and effort to successfully bring together our Trail and the grand Private view opening yesterday evening.  We were blessed with beautiful weather which helped create a magical tour for our first visitors.  

Capri Marquee from our Sponsor Adams Marquees

Some of our first visitors through Arch & Nest (Fiona) above - and more below 

Bacchus (Paul and Rachel)

Egret (Anthony)

Amphibian (Paul and Rachel)

Insects (painting - Paul)

Heron - above and below (Fiona)

Bacchus' Musicians - above and below (Paul and Rachel)

Chameleon (Fiona)

Heron (Rachel and Paul)

Starfish Fungus (Fiona)

Butterfly (Fiona)

Cocoon IV (Fiona)

We have already had some wonderful feedback and interest in our work.  Here are some visitors' comments:

"Many many thanks for the invite to Stourhead tonight. It was all magnificent, what luck with the weather, the light and the setting. It is also so witty!

The wine was pretty good too...."

Bob French

"Stourhead was a spectacular setting for all those exotic, clever and beautiful sculptures; particularly enjoyed your Chameleon and the Egret."

Victoria Grinter

"Love the integration into the grounds - brilliant!"

Christine Dean

"A super child-friendly eclectic show"

Nick Somerville

"Going around trying to find the un-natural creatures was a thrill!"

Tristan Stevens

Thanks to Stourhead for the beautiful venue and all our Sponsors who have contributed to the Trail's success:

Adams Marquees www.adamsmarquees.co.uk

Hicks & Don Wine Merchants www.hicksanddon.co.uk

JD Recycling Warminster

John Shepherd Feeders www.johnshepherdfeeders.com

Pylle Motor Spares

Regenersis www.regenersis.com

Ripe Digital Printers www.ripedigital.co.uk

Sureset Resin Paving www.sureset.co.uk

VJ Ultra www.vjultra.co.uk

White Space  www.whitespace.co.uk

Wookey Hole www.wookey.co.uk

And thanks to all other friends and supporters for their kind donations of scrap materials

The Frogs mock King Heron

Scrap

Fiona and Anthony have just been to a meeting at Stourhead today about our Sculpture Trail in September.  Stourhead looked so gorgeous in the sunshine, with buds blooming and daffodils out.  The Trail is going to be fab, and as long as it doesn’t rain, the launch will be a very inspirational event!

Stourhead in Spring

We are looking for sponsorship (some already secured) and contributions of scrap (ie mild steel, wire, colourful aluminium cans, bottle tops and plastic) to create pieces for the Trail.  To donate please contact: (01749) 880394/01985) 840223/(01373) 836786.

Fiona was very fortunate this morning to have been given 2 large 6mm off cuts of steel sheet and have them plasma cut (by Sam in Doulting) into the shapes she wanted.  They will form the bases of 2 Cocoon pieces she's working on – ready for her Bridgwater Exhibition in May.  Some of these Cocoons will also feature in the Stourhead Trail.  See her website for further images:  www.fionacampbellart.co.uk

Detail of nestling Cocoon

Drawing for Cocoon on spike

Hercules with strangled Serpent by Anthony Wilson

Anthony has finished his Infant Hercules with Strangled Serpent and set it up in his garden. It will be on show in the Beyond the Garden Gate Exhibition at Stourhead in September 2O11.Its tail will emerge from a bush or a lake to make it appear even longer than it really is.

Forging ahead

Several months have passed since Stourhead (National Trust Estate) first raised the possibility of our group creating a circular sculpture trail at Stourhead entitled 'Beyond the Garden Gate'.  Various site visits, meetings, designs and much discussion have finally led to our Trail being given the go ahead.  Yay... all very exciting!  We decided it would be fun to have a brand name and this week 'Scraptors' came into being.  Just to push the boat out (and have a dip in the lake - a bit silty as Rachel discovered...) we made some Heron masks and had a PR photoshoot with the help of vj Jack's fantastic photography skills (of http://vjultra.blogspot.com/)  - see our photos below.  

Heron - Paul Boswell/RachelMacleay

Frog - Anthony Wilson

Flower  detail - Rachel Macleay

Flora amongst bulrushes - Rachel Macleay

Cocoon - Fiona Cambell

                                                Posing as Herons with Heron and Frog



The plan is to create a series of sculptures which will explore themes connected with Stourhead, the story of the garden, the Hoares, the iconography of the temples and grottoes, wildlife and flora.  Some will be collaborative and some will be made by us individually.  Here are a couple of designs so far:

Bacchus crouching beside the lake, chasing a maiden/nymph - Paul Boswell

Arched forms, which will meet and entwine in a nest structure over the wooded path - Fiona 

Campbell

Now for the real stuff of making...  Watch this space!