Could You Fill the Boarhunt 4th Plinth?

Image credit Duncan Shepherd.

An outdoor artist space in Fareham is running an open call for artists to submit proposals for a new public art space, the Boarhunt 4th Plinth. Sarah Cheverton talks to co-organiser and Portsmouth-based artist Adrian Mundy to find out more.

Little Forest Land Art was started in early 2017 by ceramicist Jan Griffiths and artist Adrian Mundy on land surrounding Jan’s studio in the Hampshire countryside, north of Fareham.

‘We wanted to create spaces for other artists to make and display their work,’ says Adrian, ‘so with a growing team of helpers, we started working directly in the landscape, manipulating trees and raising earthworks.’

The team initially focused on a 3 acre meadow, later expanding out into the woodland immediately surrounding it and an area recently cleared of diseased trees.

Adrian says, ‘The space has given us a blank canvas.

‘Up until now, the main public opening of Little Forest Land Art is our annual open studio event, Art in the Garden.’

Art in the Garden features Jan’s ceramics and the work of other invited artists and makers. Now in its 5th year, a growing number of visitors go along to purchase the latest creations or to just look around and enjoy the space and artworks.

Jan Griffiths with the Boarhunt 4th Plinth. Photo Duncan Shepherd Photography.

Jan and Adrian are keen to expand on the success of Art in the Garden with an open competition for local artists to showcase their work through a new project, the Boarhunt 4th Plinth.

‘While we were preparing the site, we had to fell a large, unsafe oak tree, which left the oak stump and a big open space. Now, for Art in the Garden 2018 we are looking for an artwork to be shown on what we are calling the Boarhunt 4th Plinth.’

The Boarhunt 4th Plinth Competition is an open call to any artist or maker working in any medium, living in Hampshire or the adjoining counties. Entrants must be 18 years of age or over. Collaborative entries are welcome, but there must be a ‘lead’ artist and the names of other collaborators provided.

Interested artists can enter the competition for a submissions fee of £10, with a maximum of 2 submissions. The deadline for entries is 12noon, 22th January 2018.

Artists wishing to view the site in person to help inform their proposal, or members of the public who want to visit Little Forest Land Art for themselves can visit during the ‘Making Merry’ Christmas Open Studio from 2nd – 1oth December, 10am – 5pm.

The successful entry will be selected on the strength of the submission and how well it fits within the site. Successful applicants will be notified by 5 February 2018 and announced on social media.

Full details can be found over at the competition page and you can find out more about the progress of the project over at the Little Forest Land Art blog.

For further information, email littleforestuk@gmail.com or follow the team on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

 

Photography © Duncan Shepherd Photography. Duncan Shepherd is documenting the start of the Little Forest Land Art project.