Asthall Manor and Sculptures in Stone
Every now and then I stumble into something here that completely takes my breath away and I am simply gobsmacked. The OnForm sculpture in stone at Asthall Manor was one of those moments. The beauty of the setting, the house, the garden, and the sculptures were a sensual feast I was not expecting. Thankfully these pictures explain far better than I could how beautiful this all is. The show is on through July 6. It is a not-to-be-missed experience. I'm already looking forward to next year.
"Watching Clouds" made of Carrara marble by Paul Vanstone
Asthall Manor dates from the 17th century. It's most famous residents, the Mitford sisters, lived here in the 1920s. It is now the private home of Rosie Pearson and her family.
In 1920 a former barn was converted to a ballroom and joined to the main house by a cloister.
The 6-acre garden was designed and landscaped by Julian and Isabel Bannerman in 1997-1998 and is constantly evolving. It is one of the most beautiful gardens I've seen.
St. Nicholas church at Asthall -- there has been a church on this site since 1071.
The village is idyllic and in a wonderfully scenic area of the Windrush Valley.
"Phoenix" made from Utah honey calcite by Katusha Bull
"Tintamarre" made in Patagonian onyx by Katusha Bull
"Ribbon Profile" made in Portuguese marble by Paul Vanstone
View of the meadow
"Stone Overlap" made in Tewksbury sandstone by Tom Stogdon
Childrens' playhouse
"War Horse II" made in Bath stone by David Klein
I have completely fallen in love with the house
"Another Holey Ghost" made in Limestone by Adrian Gray (This sculpture is one of my favorites!)
"Constance" made in Italian Marble by William Peers
"Changing Landscape" made in slate, lead, and found material by Tom Stogdon
This was another one of my favorites. It is the curve of the London Thames with it's iconic buildings made in stone. There was another one of Oxford made in a similar fashion and in display in the ballroom.
The garden was every bit as beautiful as the sculptures -- creativity in a different art form.
I'm currently reading The Mitford Girls by Mary S Lovell. It tells the true story of the six Mitford daughters who lived in Asthall Manor in the 1920's - and the facts are as sensational as any novel: Nancy, whose bright social existence masked an obsessional doomed love which soured her success; Pam, a countrywoman married to one of the best brains in Europe; Diana, an iconic beauty, who was already married when at 22 she fell in love with Oswald Moseley, the leader of the British fascists; Unity, who romantically in love with Hitler, became a member of his inner circle before shooting herself in the temple when WWII was declared; Jessica, the family rebel, who declared herself a communist in the schoolroom and the youngest sister, Debo, who became the Duchess of Devonshire (Chatsworth House).
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