National Trust Croome Court to have four new sculptures

Faye Claridge will work with community groups to create the sculptures for National Trust Croome Court, Severn Stoke, near Worcester.

The sculptures, to be unveiled in autumn 2024, will remain in place for up to 10 years and represent the first funded arts opportunity at the site since the pandemic.

Artist Faye Claridge has been commissioned to create the sculptures (Image: National Trust)

Artists submitted proposals to create new sculptures in response to the original Four Seasons statues that once stood within the parkland. 

Faye Claridge, the artist selected to create the new sculptures, produces socially engaged projects linking heritage, prisons, collections, ecology and more.

Previous artworks resulting from Faye’s projects have previously been selected for awards including The John Ruskin Prize. 

Faye said: “I’m really looking forward to working with all the community groups that will be involved in the project so I can ensure the resulting sculptures are truly collaborative.

One of Croome's original four seasons sculptures (Image: National Trust)

“I’m keen we reflect many connections to the site, its history and its future biodiversity so the sculptures can inspire visitors to think about how collective wellbeing is linked to the themes of seasons and change.” 

Jenine McGaughran, creative producer at National Trust Croome, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to launch this new project and to be working with Faye and a fantastic group of community partners to realise it.

“Four Seasons is a unique opportunity to create new artworks that explore our remarkable history whilst also looking to the future by responding to issues of seasonality and climate change.

“Placing people at the very centre of the work we do is crucial to Croome, Faye brings a wealth of experience in understanding the importance of this process, ensuring that participants gain a real connection to our story and place.

“To have these responses brought to life in sculptural form in the parkland for the next decade is a great legacy for those involved and demonstrates our commitment to co-production.”