Sculpture and Dry Stone Walls

Wayside Carvings, West Lulworth by Peter Randall-Page

Since I first saw this carving by Peter Randall-Page, which is part of Sculpture and the Land the New Milestons project, I have thought about showing my work in a similar way.  I very much like the contrast of the natural riven wall stone and the smooth curves of the carving.  The shell-like forms are set into recessed alcoves in a boundary bank, to give them, in Peter's words, "their own intimate space in which to be seen."

Image by Stone Inspired

Now that I am working on creating something of a garden at my workshop - a garden in which to show some of my sculpture, I am very keen to include dry stone walling in the design.

Some of the walling I have been seeing I think is sculpture in its own right, but it also acts as a strong structural backdrop, it really draws my attention and I can find I have been gazing at it for ages.

Dry Stone Pond -  from a show garden for Hampton Court called 'Romantic Charm' designed by Claudia de Yong Designs.

As long as I can remember to include some flattish top surfaces, on which to place work, I would like to be a little bit adventurous.  Certainly it will help with creating some height and different levels - I'm excited about this project and at present am thinking on a much larger scale than I have space for and dreaming of earth moving equipment!

It's okay, I get sensible when standing at the sheds with plan in hand, and pace the frozen ground and measure the space needed to turn a vehicle in - don't want to be constantly backing into my new hard landscaping!

Amazing work from the 2011 Canadian Dry Stone Walling Festival