Last month saw the exciting arrival of a new temporary addition to the 18th century Water Garden at Studley Royal. The siting of the sculpture marks the culmination of an 18 month art project entitled ‘Inspired by Heritage’ with stone sculptor Fiona Bowley and Art Connections.

From 5pm – 8pm on Friday 25 and 11am – 4pm on Saturday 26 June, visitors will have the opportunity to meet the artist and find out more about the project, her inspiration, and the craft of stone masonry. She will also be working on a smaller version of the sculpture in the Temple of Piety in the Water Garden.

Inspired by Heritage is a programme which forms part of an initiative to support the development of new work by North Yorkshire artists and to build new partnerships between arts and heritage organisations. Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal is one of six host organisations chosen to take part. Other hosts include Newby Hall, Malham Tarn Field Studies Centre and Whitby Museum.

The artist’s brief was to create a piece of work inspired by the landscape of Studley Royal Water Garden and the ruins of Fountains Abbey. A residency diary and photographic log of Fiona’s work and progress was updated throughout the project and can be found on the Fountains Abbey website, www.fountainsabbey.org.uk

The sculpture is currently sited on a plinth mirroring the designed landscape and can be viewed by walking along the canal side from Studley Royal towards the Rustic Bridge.  Visitors will be able to see the sculpture in the Water Garden for approximately one year.

Artist in residence, Fiona Bowley said:
“My sculpture for Studley Royal is inspired by the sight of a semicircular pool viewed from the Octagon Tower above the gardens. The sweeping curves of the pool are cut into by semicircular lawns and abutted by parallel lines of grass and water.”

An exhibition featuring work from all six artists is on display in the Mercer Art Gallery in Harrogate until 18 July. 

ENDS

PRESS CONTACT
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: contact Jennifer Taylor, Visitor Experience and Marketing Officer, Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, Estate Office, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 3DY.  Tel 01765 643164 Fax 01765 601002 Email Jennifer.taylor@nationaltrust.org.uk

Notes to editors:
1. For further information on the ‘Inspired by Heritage’ project and North Yorkshire Open Studios, see the Art Connections website: www.artconnections.org.uk
2. ‘Inspired by Heritage’ has been developed as part of the Art Connections project and is supported by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Harrogate Borough Council and Chrysalis Arts Development