Marking the launch of ‘New Work at Newark’, this sculpture exhibition is a collaborative project between Newark Park and the Cotswold Sculptors Association. It showcases the work of five distinctive sculptors, each selected to create new pieces inspired by the history and natural environment of Newark Park.
About the exhibition
This autumn, Newark Park is showcasing the work of five sculptors from Cotswolds Sculptor Association (CSA) who have created pieces inspired by the spirit of Newark Park and celebrating the history, stories and nature of the house and its gardens.
Newark Park has always been a place of creative reinvention. Since Sir Nicholas Poyntz, attendant to Henry VIII, built 'Newwork' as his hunting lodge in the 1550s, each owner has added to the rich, layered story of the house and landscape. Now, five local sculptors - Ella Daniel-Lowe, Ian Knight, Kate McMahon-Parkes, Shirley Sharp and Tim Wells - have created their own 'new work' for a temporary exhibition in Newark Park’s house and gardens. Each took inspiration from different aspects of the property, from the generations of people who have shaped Newark Park to the birdlife that fill the garden and estate.
Through their sculptures, each artist invites visitors to look again at Newark Park, revealing fresh perspectives on its past and present. Situated in the garden and the house, their work brings to life stories of Cistercian monks, historical courtship, hidden gardens, rich local wildlife, and imagined voices from history. Some of the materials used also come directly from the surrounding landscape, including local clay, wood and wool.
‘New Work at Newark: A Sculpture Exhibition’ is a joint initiative between Newark Park and the Cotswold Sculptors Association. The Cotswold Sculptors Association is a non-profit community that connects sculptors in and around the Cotswolds and promotes their love of sculpture through public exhibitions and events.
Meet Newark's 'New Work' sculptors
Take a peek behind the scenes as the artists work on their ideas to bring them to life. Visit the exhibition to see the finished pieces revealed.
Ella explores the fragile connection between people and the natural world, creating lifelike bird and wildlife sculptures that invite us to reconnect with the wild world around us. Drawing inspiration from the many different birds that call Newark Park home, she will create a flock of five high-fired ceramic birds. Sweeping through Newark's Gothic arch in mid-flight, the installation will celebrate the site's wildlife while encouraging visitors to look more closely at the natural world around them.
Ian is a multidisciplinary artist who uncovers the stories hidden within landscapes, objects and materials. Working across printmaking, photography and ceramics, he draws on locally-sourced materials and historical references to create work that is deeply rooted in place. He is particularly interested in exploring the creative potential of natural resources, including locally-gathered wild clays.
For ‘New Work at Newark’, Ian is creating a series of terracotta tiles that bring the garden's history to life through words, images and ceramic transfers. The installation invites visitors to discover new layers of Newark Park's story and connect with its rich past in unexpected ways.
Kate's work explores the layers of history embedded within places, uncovering the connections between people, materials and stories across time. For ‘New Work at Newark’, she is creating an immersive multi-media installation inspired by the origins of Newark Park which was built using stone from the demolished Kingswood Abbey.
Drawing on research into the lives of the Cistercian monks who once lived at the Abbey, Kate explores their role as sheep farmers and wool producers, tracing links between the Abbey's history and the stonework that remains visible at Newark Park today. Combining projection, the sound of ringing bells and Cistercian chant, alongside hanging robes made from sheep's wool, the installation will evoke the presence of those who once inhabited this landscape and reveal the hidden stories woven into its fabric.
Shirley is a local artist whose practice spans sculpture, painting and drawing, with a particular interest in bringing historical characters into the present day. Working primarily with clay, she transforms figures from paintings and decorative schemes into three-dimensional forms, focusing on gesture, mood and expression rather than detailed likeness.
Inspired by the sociable atmosphere of Newark Park, Shirley is creating a series of clay sculptures that explore the idea of 'peacocking' – the timeless art of display, self-presentation and courtship. The sculptures chart a progression of increasing expressiveness, offering a playful reflection on the performances and personalities that have animated Newark Park across the centuries.
Tim is a self-taught sculptor who works exclusively with sustainably-sourced wood, creating minimalist, abstract heads that celebrate the natural character of the material. His work invites viewers to engage through touch as well as sight, encouraging a personal connection with the curves, textures and grain of each piece.
For ‘New Work at Newark’, Tim is creating an installation of abstract wooden heads displayed around the dining table, each suggesting a different individual while leaving space for visitors' own interpretations. One figure will be positioned outside, looking in, creating an intriguing dialogue between the interior and exterior spaces. During his visit to Newark Park on 15 August, Ted invited visitors to become part of the artwork itself, creating a unique community response to the exhibition by drawing directly onto one of the sculpted heads with crayon.
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Useful to know
‘New Work at Newark: A Sculpture Exhibition’ runs at Newark Park from 28 August to 1 November 2026.
Entry to the exhibition is included as part of the usual property admission fee (free for National Trust members and under 5s).
Find out more about the families that lived at Newark House and how it came to be positioned with expansive country views. From Tudor hunting lodge to a fashionable Georgian family home.
The garden and parkland are an ideal place to get outdoors in nature. The area also provides the diverse habitat for a variety of creatures and birdlife.
Explore more of Newark Park during your visit. From the main car park there are three waymarked walks around the estate. Please check with the friendly visitor reception team to find out which walks are open on the day of your visit.
