The collection charts the history of the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail, located at Beechenhurst Lodge in the heart of the Forest of Dean. This includes both the administrative and artistic processes involved. Formats encompass documents, books and publications, leaflets, drawings, videos, a maquette and other ephemera.
In 1983, following the establishment of a sculpture trail in Exeter Forest, Martin Orrom (Forestry and Environment Officer, Forestry Commission) wrote a brief for the establishment of a sculpture trail in the Forest of Dean. The Elephant Trust provided £2,500 towards the project and in Spring 1984 around 20 artists were invited to visit the site and submit proposals for sculptures. Martin worked alongside Jeremy Rees (Founding Director of The Arnolfini, Bristol) and Rupert Martin (Curator at The Arnolfini). Six artists were chosen and these founding commissions were collectively titled "Stand and Stare":
Peter Appleton - Sound Sculptures
Kevin Atherton - Cathedral
Andrew Darke - Sliced Log Star (Inside Out Tree)
Magdalena Jetelova - Place
David Nash - Black Dome/ Fire and Water Boats
Keir Smith - The Iron Road
The trail was opened on 19 June 1986 by Sir David Montgomery, Chair of the Forestry Commission. By 1988, a second batch of sculptures had been installed including:
Bruce Allan - Observatory
Zadok Ben David - As There Is No Hunting Tomorrow
Miles Davies - House
Ian Hamilton Finlay - Grove of Silence
Tim Lees - The Heart of the Stone
Cornelia Parker - Hanging Fire
Peter Randall-Page - Cone and Vessel
Sophie Ryder - Crossing Place/ Deer/Searcher
Since 1986, 28 sculptures both temporary and permanent have been sited on the Sculpture Trail.
The Forest of Dean Sculpture Trust was established in 1988 as a registered charity overseeing the maintenance of the trail and commissioning new works. The trail is owned and managed by The Forestry Commission.
