Table people, chair people and wall people are just some of the sculptures by internationally acclaimed sculptor, Kenneth Armitage, on display at the New Art Centre Sculpture Park this month.
 | | Chair 4, Kenneth Armitage |
The New Art Centre and Gallery aka Roche Court is a small, privately owned sculpture park based just a few miles outside Salisbury. But this is no sanitised, white washed art space.... Instead the collection of over 100 contemporary works, by some of the most renowned sculptors from the UK and abroad, has the run of the parkland and gardens. And with over 20 acres to play with, works literally appear from under trees, striding across open fields or emerging from behind hedges.
 | | Wall, Kenneth Armitage |
And from the beginning of April they will be joined by a collection of work by the off beat, abstract British sculptor, Kenneth Armitage. Renowned for his figurative works, Kenneth Armitage came to international attention back in 1952 as one of a group of young British sculptors who were pushing the boundaries. His sculptures, fragmented and abstract, proved powerful and emotive despite their distinct economy in detail and unforgiving geometric form.
 | | Moon Figure, Kenneth Armitage |
He had in the 30s, following in the steps of Barbara Hepworth whose estate The New Art Gallery now represents, landed the Gregory Fellowship and attended Leeds college of Art on a scholarship. With World War 11 behind him he took up the post as head of sculpture at the Bath Academy of Art in Corsham where he stayed for the next decade. Working mainly in bronze he had, by the late 60s, developed his own style. His human forms - part alien, part abstract – not only brimmed with energy and movement but humour as well. Now, with works appearing in prestigious galleries such as the Tate in London and the Museum of Modern Art in New York, some of his sculptures are being exhibited in Wiltshire.
 | | Folding Screen version one |
Picked from the artist’s estate, and spanning nearly 50 years, the works on display include Moon Figure, the 1962 aluminium Pandarus (Version 1) – Version 8 now resides at the Tate – the bronze Wall (1965), the painted Screen with Folded Arms (1967) and the L-Shaped Screen (1991). And in an exhibition in the Roche Court gallery are a group of Armitage’s ‘furniture figures’ which, with folded arms, crossed legs, standing and sitting, literally emerge from tables, chairs and walls. The exhibition of Kenneth Armitage’s work goes on display from April 9th through to July 3rd, 2005. For more information call: 01980 862 244. | 
