Woburn Outdoor Sculptures

We live within a 30 minute drive of Woburn Abbey. The village of Woburn together with the Abbey hosts Woburn ARTBEAT – an annual arts project now in its third year. During April this year, the village of Woburn became a multi-venue Art gallery.  From now until 31 August 2012, the gardens of Woburn Abbey will be host to a magnificent outdoor Sculpture Display: around 80 sculptures by 28 sculptors are on view.

Scattered discretely over a wide area the sculptures offer something for everyone, and every taste. The one that caught my eye particularly is the one you see here.

Simply titled ‘Anna’ by Jonathan Wylder it is, to my mind, a classically beautiful sculpture capturing a girl in a pose that is both natural and pensive. It is the sculptural equivalent of Cartier-Bresson’s ‘decisive moment’. For me it is the star of the show and I’m delighted to show it to you. When we visited the weather was dry, and the absence of bright sun helped to bring the contrast down to a manageable level within a single image.

Woburn Abbey has a lot else to offer: a Deer Park, a Safari Park, the Abbey itself and an Antiques Centre. If you have an opportunity this summer and live within a reasonable distance, then do consider a visit.