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Award-winning British sculptor David Harber has unveiled an enriching and intriguing collection of sculptures within the stunning gardens of Surrey’s luxurious Great Fosters Hotel.
This unique showcase brings together 13 of David’s most popular designs within the estate’s 50 acres of landscaped gardens. Known worldwide for making contemporary and classical artworks from his Oxfordshire studio – and a two-time recipient of the Queen’s Award for International Trade – David’s designs playfully incorporate nature, reflection, light and water to create dramatic focal points within the hotel’s grounds.
For over two decades, David has designed and produced covetable sculptures, sundials and water features that enchant and endure whilst responding to their natural surroundings – many of which are on display during this limited edition exhibition. The sculptures on show include the popular Torus, which takes pride of place at the summit of Lime Avenue, measuring 8 feet in diameter and boasting a unique puddle stone side to the reverse of the sculpture – just one of the special edition finishes this particular design is available in. Torus stands amongst a selection of other pieces from David’s Classic range, including Portal, Hydra, Obelisk, Quiver and Mantle II. In addition, visitors can find Enclosure – a one-off piece first designed for Chelsea Flower Show and now exclusively on display at the hotel; Quad, a limited edition design and Geminus, one of the company’s newest designs and a cousin of the popular Mantle design, which stands tall at the front of the hotel amidst its impressive driveway. The gardens also house two sundials, including David’s iconic Armillary Sphere, first commissioned by the hotel in 1999 to celebrate the millennium, and the Drake sundial – an original piece believed to have been gifted to the hotel by the family of Sir Frances Drake back in 1585.
“Our exhibition at Great Fosters Hotel is the marriage of two British brands coming together to celebrate everything we love about art and nature. Not only does the hotel benefit from one of the most spectacular Arts and Crafts gardens in the continent, but it boasts a rich heritage that is distinctly ‘British’, dating back to Tudor times. Each piece selected for the exhibition has been chosen to reflect the picturesque gardens and surrounding environment; from the reflections of the hotel in the statuesque Torus sculpture to the gentle ripples of Quiver created with very breath of wind in the rose garden. The events of 2020 have truly taught us the value of being outdoors, and I hope this exhibition will inspire visitors to appreciate nature and the beauty it holds through the pieces we have installed there.”
Situated within the idyllic surroundings of Egham, Surrey, Great Fosters Hotel is a Grade One listed former royal hunting lodge renowned for its picturesque gardens and parkland. Originally designed by W H Romaine Walker and Gilbert Jenkins in the early 1920s, it boasts one of the finest Arts and Crafts gardens in Europe. Landscape architect Kim Wilkie was commissioned to give the gardens a new lease of life in the 1990s and in 2004 a grassed amphitheatre, lake and woodland were introduced, alongside further additions in 2012. Further highlights include a picturesque Japanese bridge, a rose garden, herb garden and beehive, plus Tithe Barn which is used for private functions and events.
To coincide with your visit, the hotel and its grounds are also open for lunch, afternoon tea or supper.
Visit www.alexanderhotels.co.uk/great-fosters/book-a-table/ for further information.
For further details on the David Harber exhibition please visit www.davidharber.co.uk.
Images by Clive Nichols, www.clivenichols.com
