Late artist’s sculpture will be signature piece of exhibition

Sculptures by twenty artists including the renowned artist Althea Wynne, who was killed in a car crash in January together with her husband, the photographer Anthony Barrington Brown, will go on show to the public this week.

Wynne ‘s Penelope Waiting is the signature piece of the exhibition of contemporary sculpture, which opens at Avebury Manor on Saturday, May 5.

Other leading sculptors taking part include Will Spankie and Roger Stephens, both stone carvers who draw on nature to create abstract forms in granite and marble, and Emily Young, who works in the same medium, but creates human forms which express a strong sense of our long history in this ancient landscape.

Work in clay, metal, glass and resin will add to the mix. Some, like Ruth Moilliet’s stainless steel Allium, reflect planting in the long border, while Alex Moore’s steel obelisks hint at more dramatic planting to come.

On the east lawn large ceramic pots by Phil Simmonds look stunning set against the cream stone façade of the Manor itself.

Elsewhere in the garden, Alan Foxley’s abstract ceramic sculptures have a remarkable similarity to some of the standing stones set in the landscape beyond, while the borders will sparkle with glass installations by Sue Tinkler and Alan Spark.

The Celebrating Art in the Garden exhibition runs every day from 10am to 5pm until 10 June. Normal National Trust membership arrangements and charges apply. For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/things-to-see-and-do/events/view-page/item743461/257433/

The exhibition is organised by the Friends of the Garden in partnership with the National Trust. All work will be for sale and commissions from artists will be used to support artists in Wiltshire.

 Wynne, who lived near Warminster, was a world-renowned sculptor, best known for large works in bronze and ceramic for gardens and public spaces.

Among her best-known works is the three bronze horses at Minster Court in the City of London. Cast and erected in the early 90s, each stands at 10ft tall and weighs four-and-a-half tonnes.

Pictured top to bottom: Penelope Waiting by Althea Wynne (© Anthony Barrington Brown), Cream Tea by Helen Sinclair and Finback Seat by Ben Barrell