New Lancashire Landmarks

This blog has been given to us from our Guest Blogger - Nick Hunt, Director - Mid Pennine Arts

Working around Pennine Lancashire and along the M65 corridor, I too often forget the wonders of rural Lancashire just a few short miles away, over the hill. This summer and autumn though, I am getting plenty of chances to get out there and explore. This is while we work on an absolutely lovely project. Two weeks from now, I’d like to introduce it to you too. What more reason do you need to explore the magical world of the Forest of Bowland?

Landmarks is a series of four temporary, artist commissions for ambitious works in landscape responding to some of the best loved locations around the Forest of Bowland. The commissions are part of Bowland Revealed, celebrating fifty years of the Forest of Bowland as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Inspired by the beauty and character of Bowland, and with a feel and respect for the area, the new works all aim to surprise, delight and challenge – encouraging the viewer to discover a little more of this wonderful area, or to look at a familiar landscape in a new way.
The Landmarks will be there to discover for seven weeks from 15 September. There will also be opportunities to meet the Landmarks artists, to hear about their work and why they too find the Forest of Bowland so captivating.

Landmarks is the fruit of a partnership between Lancashire Arts Development, the Forest of Bowland AONB team and Ribble Valley Borough Council. Mid Pennine Arts is delighted to be managing the Landmarks commissions on behalf of the partners, and working with an outstanding team of artists: Geraldine Pilgrim, Halima Cassell, Philippe Handford and Salina Somalya .

Halima Cassell is a sculptor with an international reputation. She has exhibited widely in the UK and abroad, and features in a number of public collections. Her work combines strong geometric elements with recurrent patterns and architectural principles.
 
Geraldine Pilgrim works across theatre and the visual arts, known for her evocative installations and performances which create a contemporary dialogue with historic houses, buildings and landscapes. She responds to a site for inspiration, to reveal the memories and atmospheres built up over the years. This highly acclaimed artist has been commissioned by organisations including Royal Pavilion Brighton, English Heritage, Girl Guiding UK and the National Trust, as well as by MPA for our first Contemporary Heritage commission in 2010.


Philippe Handford has embraced a wide creative spectrum from product designer to sculptor and environmental artist. He has recently enjoyed international success with commissions in Moscow and Paris. “Often these wild locations offer challenges of material; weather and natural elements that help inspire unique site-specific structures.”


Salina Somalya is a national artist, working predominantly in metal, who has created artworks for interior and, recently, exterior environments. “All my artworks are individual and predominantly inspired by nature, natural forms and architecture.”

Four lovely destinations around Bowland will each host an artwork from 20 September for seven weeks.

Sun Catcher – Halima Cassell – Jeffrey Hill (Longridge Fell)
Out-Take - Philippe Handford –– Langden Intake (Trough of Bowland road, near Dunsop Bridge)
Beauty - Geraldine Pilgrim – Beacon Fell Country Park
Celeste - Salina Somalya – Gisburn Forest Hub

This is a unique opportunity to experience the responses of four very talented artists to this beautiful landscape. Make sure you don’t miss the limited window in which to visit. While you are exploring, we hope you will discover a bit more of magical Bowland. You may even come across us, taking advantage of one of the fine gastropubs that enhance the visitor experience!