National Sculpture Prize 2017 opens in North Devon

A giant Aeolian harp, a machine made by a machine, embryonic forms and a canopy of trees are among the finalists vying to win the 2017 National Sculpture Prize on display at Broomhill Art Hotel from June to October.

Launched in 2009 by The Broomhill Art and Sculpture Foundation, the National Sculpture Prize (NSP) was set up as platform to showcase new and emerging UK based sculptors and this year, amidst fierce competition, 10 UK based sculptors have been selected by a top judging panel and are bidding to win the prestigious title. Their entries will be displayed in the beautiful woodlands of the Broomhill Sculpture Park throughout the summer with the winners announced in October.

The prize aims to support emerging artists and the competition is open to all UK based artists of any age, currently studying (or within 10 years of graduation) an art-related course at a recognised School of Art.

With such a distinctive array of influences and styles, this year’s judges are artist and poet Lucy Glendinning; contemporary landscape painter Anthony Garratt; renowned sculptor Dominic Welch; and the owners of Broomhill, Rinus and Aniet van de Sande, who anticipate a challenging debate in agreeing their winner.

“The debates and arguments as we judges try to reach an agreement are always fascinating,” said Rinus, whose dental profile is incorporated in one of the sculptures.

“It’s a gladiatorial contest as the entries have such variety of material uses and concepts. Some pieces have a serious message, others are simply fun and interactive and each year we have a different group of judges, which means that a new set of likes, dislikes and prejudices comes into play.”

In 2016, northern artist Lee Brady’s sculpture Quarrelsome 15kg, was chosen as a memorable winner by the judges. Lee’s winning entry consisted of a car acting as a platform to a formalist sculpture and he has gone on to collaborate with other artists and professionals experimenting with different ways of creating and displaying sculpture.

As well as a Judges Winner, the National Sculpture Prize offers the public an opportunity to have their say as visitors to Broomhill can vote in person or online via the venue’s website. This chance to voice an opinion and collectively choose a winner receives a great response with all ages, from schools and families to garden groups and art enthusiasts having a say. Last year over 3,500 votes were cast selecting Giles Miller’s untitled reflective sphere as their winner.

London based artist and designer Giles said: “The Broomhill National Sculpture prize was a wonderful chance to make a personal expression in a place much closer to my heart. An opportunity to create something of lasting beauty and benefit to the area was an enormous privilege”

• The final 10 sculptures for the 2017 competition will be on display at Broomhill Sculpture Gardens in Barnstaple, North Devon from 1st June until October. Information about the pieces, including the artists blogs on their work in progress, can be found at www.broomhillart.co.uk