“We’re blessed with a new and extraordinary site close to the East Suffolk coast with its woodland, heath, marsh and, of course, sky,” says David Baldry who is head of fine art at the University of Suffolk and, as an artist himself, works in drawing, sculpture, video and architecture.
“Art is at its best when pointing to something we don’t always acknowledge or which we take for granted,” he says. “This year, artists have every opportunity to think about, engage with and make sculpture in a very special location.”
Sculpture in the Valley curator David Baldry, head of fine art at the University of Suffolk, says art is at its best when pointing to something we don’t always acknowledge or which we take for granted”.
Pakefield Man by artist Tobias Ford is heading to Saxmundham
- Credit: Sculpture in the Valley
A giant iron sculpture of a prehistoric man is heading to a wildflower meadow near Saxmundham, where it will form part of a two-month display.
Tobias Ford created Pakefield Man – a large iron human form inspired by some of Britain’s earliest human settlers – which was a big hit at Lowestoft’s First Light Festival.
Since the festival, it has been kept in a meadow at Homersfield in north Suffolk.
However, it is heading down to Potton Hall on the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) on Wednesday, May 19, to be displayed then sold.
Welding the Pakefield Man. Picture: Courtesy of Waveney & Blyth Arts
- Credit: Courtesy of Waveney & Blyth Arts
An iconic sculpture that proved popular with festivalgoers and the people of Lowestoft is set to be showcased once more in an inspiring setting next month.
Having illuminated the First Light Festival on Lowestoft’s south beach in 2019 the iconic Pakefield Man will feature as part of the annual Sculpture in the Valley trail at Potton Hall on the edge of Dunwich forest.
Pakefield Man in the sun. Picture: Courtesy of Waveney & Blyth Arts
- Credit: Courtesy of Waveney & Blyth Arts
The annual Sculpture in the Valley trail returns for the seventh time from Friday, May 28 to Sunday, June 27.