There is a long history of land art at Grizedale Forest. Hayley Skipper explains how a partnership between the Arts Council and the Forestry Commission is continuing the tradition
Site-specific sculpture and land art was first developed in the UK at Grizedale Forest. This tradition forms part of the landscape itself, both physically and conceptually, and it continues to inform the artists that work here; their exploration of the context and location. It is a unique space for engaging critically with this discourse and how it has developed in the UK since the late 1970s.
Grizedale Forest is an expanse of 6,000 hectares of semi-natural and plantation forest, located in the Lake District National Park bounded by the shores of Windermere to the east and Coniston Water to the west, managed by Forestry Commission England. It is the UK’s first forest for sculpture and one of the Lake District’s most popular destinations, with 250,000 people a year exploring the forest, looking for art and adventure. Sculptures from 1977 onwards are positioned across the forest and can be discovered via a network of walking and cycling trails.
Led by the Forestry Commission, Art Roots Grizedale is a programme that aims to develop high-quality, artistically innovative new work, and provide opportunities for leading and emerging artists to deliver excellent public art in a forest environment. The initiative is part of Arts Council England’s (ACE) national partnership work with the Forestry Commission. The programme receives £95,000 from ACE’s National Lottery funded Grants for the arts scheme and £80,000 of funding through South Lakeland District Council’s Playbuilder programme.
Earlier this year, the TERRA exhibition attracted more than 3,700 people to the forest, to see contemporary sculpture by artists from across the UK. The new Art Roots exhibition, which has just opened, is presenting commissioned site-specific sculpture by ten artists. We hope the works will give a flavour of the artists’ individual practices as well as a response to the unique environment of the Grizedale Forest landscape.
The Art Roots Grizedale programme will continue to create new art experiences, accessible to all, across a range of landscapes within the forest. This will include opportunities for cyclists, exploring the forest on two wheels, to engage with new landmark sculpture in the forest for the first time.
North West Regional Director of ACE Jane Beardsworth said: “Not only will Art Roots Grizedale encourage new audiences for the visual arts, but it will also add to the area's appeal as a cultural tourism destination.”