FOUR new sculptures have been commissioned for National Trust Croome in a nod to the original Four Seasons statutes which once stood within the estate’s parklands.
The National Trust have commissioned artist Faye Claridge to create the sculptures in collaboration with community groups in the first funded arts opportunity at the site since the pandemic.
Faye Claridge frequently works with collections and heritage sites to find new ways of empowering participants to explore how current identities are shaped by ideas about the past.
Her focus on inclusivity has led to a specialism in engaging people with less access to culture, including people in prison and people experiencing social and wellbeing challenges.
Faye’s projects have previously been selected for New Contemporaries (Liverpool Biennial & South London Gallery) and The John Ruskin Prize and exhibited widely, including at Compton Verney, The Photographers’ Gallery, New Art Exchange, Towner Eastbourne, and with the Arts Council Collection.
The sculptures, to be unveiled in autumn 2024 will remain in place for up to 10 years.
Faye said: “I’m really looking forward to working with all the community groups that will be involved in the project so I can ensure the resulting sculptures are truly collaborative.
“I’m keen we reflect many connections to the site, its history and its future biodiversity so the sculptures can inspire visitors to think about how collective wellbeing is linked to the themes of seasons and change.”
Jenine McGaughran, creative producer at National Trust Croome said: ‘We’re absolutely thrilled to launch this new project and to be working with Faye and a fantastic group of community partners to realise it.
“Four Seasons is a unique opportunity to create new artworks that explore our remarkable history whilst also looking to the future by responding to issues of seasonality and climate change.
“Placing people at the very centre of the work we do is crucial to Croome, Faye brings a wealth of experience in understanding the importance of this process, ensuring that participants gain a real connection to our story and place.
“To have these responses bought to life in sculptural form in the parkland for the next decade is a great legacy for those involved and demonstrates our commitment to co-production.”
Follow @NTCroome and #CroomeFourSeasons on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for updates on the Four Seasons project.
