Borde Hill Sculpture Exhibition
Borde Hill Garden
Balcombe Road
Haywards Heath
West Sussex
RH16 1XP
Ah…the long reach of the Brighton Festival these days took me out on an enjoyable day to the werewolf* ridden wilds of Sussex hurtling through Haywards Heath, rushing roof down through the other side of that withering misery and bursting out into the glorious Sussex countryside and the superb gardens of Borde Hill.
Their sculpture exhibition – its 16th year – is a celebration of art and sculpture, showcasing works by both established and up and-coming-artists. The team at Borde Hill garden has transformed them into an interesting and fragrant outdoor gallery, with a wide range of sculpture, although none of it thrilled me or made me ponder much but it is set within stunning formal gardens and woodland and that rather makes up for the un-challenging sculptures on show. My delighted companion Ms Brunnen was transfixed by the Magnolias, they are utterly breathtaking at the moment. The pieces on show all fit well in the landscapes, are sensual and well executed but it was the flowers, trees and blending of the garden space which really caught my eye. You can lead a horticulture…as Ms Parker once said.
There are some organic heaving sensual pieces set in the woodland, life size and made from clay and cloth which caught my imagination, as much for their settings as style but one of the permanent sculptures soaring arms wide in the Italian Garden is by far one of the best placed and stunning pieces on show.
However, it’s a lovely place to wander; the hidden tea-shop is simply perfect with gushings of tea and huge slices of cake tucked into a little shaded dell with bluebells basking under the mottled sunshine, it was simply perfect.
Running until June 3.
*there are no werewolves in Borde Hill Gardens.
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