Opportunity for sculptors & installation artists to take part in a new sculpture trail sited in a private woodland on the Kent/Sussex border. Submissions are invited for outdoor sculpture and installation work for an artist-led exhibition in Hook Green Wood, Lamberhurst, June 2nd - 18th 2023, running during the South East Open Studios scheme.

Artists are invited to make work that responds to the ancient woodland, field, and other elements of this interesting site, or to place relevant existing work in this context. Work will be installed outside in the woods and field, and will be open to the weather and wildlife.

The exhibition will run for three weeks in June 2023, with a private view. Artists will also be offered the opportunity to lead events such as talks to support the exhibition.

Pathways is an artist-led project curated by Dr Jane Sarre & Jemma Gowland.

WHO CAN SUBMIT

• We welcome applications from artists at any stage in their career
• This opportunity is open to Kent and/or Sussex based artists
• The work submitted can be any medium that can safely be installed outside
• Existing work can be submitted if it has some relevance to the site
• New work can be proposed that responds in some way to the site
  
  

THE SITE

The woods at Hook Green are a special site of mixed ancient woodland; chestnut coppice, oaks, beech, and birch form a multitude of habitats.  Here, badgers, rabbits, deer and foxes live, along with numerous species of birds and smaller mammals.  This small woodland site shows signs of historic quarrying for nearby Bayham Abbey and would have contributed to the local iron industry.  Bluebells fill the paths in spring, blackberries, fungi, elderberries, sloes and chestnuts flourish in the autumn.

The site is a gated woodland outside Lamberhurst, normally private and now managed for biodiversity. It has a long history of human usage including coppicing, pheasant rearing, ironwork, livestock grazing & the growing of hops.

As the visitor arrives, they can walk through the wood and adjacent field, following a marked trail to discover pieces along their way. Printed guides will be available to support the visit, and one of the participating artists will always be present during the exhibition opening days to welcome visitors and answer any questions.

The site has vehicular access with parking for 8-10 cars. The main path is level and wheelchair accessible, with smaller side paths branching off. There are 2 ponds, and a large open-sided roofed woodshed, which may also be used to place work.

YOUR CONTRIBUTION

Pathways is an artist-led project, enabling artists to create their own opportunities, make and show experimental work, and have the chance to show work in different environments that expand the scope of their practice.

The project is made possibly by volunteer curation and hosting by the land-owners. Participating artists are asked to make their own contributions to the success of the project by:

• delivering and installing their work
• sharing invigilation time
• participating in events
• promoting the exhibition to their networks
  
  

This is a self-funded opportunity, so selected artists will be asked to contribute financially to support the project at cost. This will cover the costs of SEOS listing, professional photography, signage, printed guide and refreshments for the private view. Costs are estimated at approximately £220-250 per artist, depending on the final number of artists participating and plans for the private view.

HOW TO APPLY

All submissions must be made through the CuratorSpace form.

Add good images and a clear statement to strengthen your application.

Deadline for submission: midnight, Wednesday, January  25th 2023

Spaces are limited as only 6 artists can be selected, so the curators' selection decisions are final.