Exhibition Archive
Art in dialogue with landscape
1 May - 31 May 2026
Landscape Inspired Sculpture brings together a group of contemporary artists whose work responds directly to the natural and historic character of the garden.
Set among luscious planting, winding pathways and early 19th-century walls, the sculptures explore themes of form, texture, balance and the changing qualities of light and season.
Unlike a traditional gallery setting, the works are encountered gradually and informally, encouraging visitors to move through the space and discover pieces in relation to the surrounding environment.
The exhibition marked the launch of a partnership with the Surrey Sculpture Society. It brings together a diverse group of contemporary sculptors working across a range of materials and approaches.
Featured artists included Abby Martin, Alex Smith, Allan Mackenzie, Ben Nicolas, Claire Nelson, David Paynter, Eve Shepherd, Karen Pearson, Nicci Fairbank, Nick Baker, Rachael Nicholson, Teresa Martin and Terry Merritt.
In Nature: A Celebration in Sculpture
3 April - 5 June 2022
‘In Nature’ took the theme of trees and seed forms. It featured major sculptures including the magnificent large-scale Richmond Oak, and accompanying works, by Kenneth Armitage; three striking tree forms by Julian Wild; a selection of Wendy Taylor’s acclaimed seed series: Sycamore, Fir Cones, Poppy Seed, Acorn and Cob Nut; and innovative sculptures by Will Nash. The exhibition included new works ideally suited to this setting.
William Pye: Sculpting with Water
May 2019
William Pye, an internationally acclaimed sculptor, exhibited eleven important pieces in the Secret Garden in May 2019. He worked closely with the Trustees to create a very special show, which enthused a wide audience, from art lovers to those new to sculpture and also children. His fascinating pieces are made principally from stainless steel and cast bronze; and water is integral to most of his work. William Pye is inspired by the extraordinary qualities of water and the natural laws of hydrostatics, and how these can be manipulated.
Black Blackbird and Other Sculptures
May 2016
Black Blackbird and Other Sculptures by the distinguished sculptor Hamish Black, in The Secret Garden, was the prelude to a programme of temporary exhibitions featuring established sculptors and the finest emerging talent. This first exhibition featured three major works, all of which had been inspired by sound, and formed part of Hamish Black's ‘Sounds Like’ series.
Black Blackbird, a site-specific sculpture, was specially commissioned by the Trustees of the Antony Dale Trust, who run the Secret Garden. The work is ten metres long, and is made up of over 200 semi-circles, which were been charred black.
