DEGREEART GOES TO GLYNDEBOURNE

DegreeArt Goes To Glyndebourne

Each year the iconic Glyndebourne Opera Festival presents not only groundbreaking opera performances but a carefully curated selection of artwork chosen to compliment the creativity of the festival. This spring and summer DegreeArt is proud and privileged to have the work of sculptors Lucy Unwin and Carol Peace displayed in their striking estate grounds and gardens as part of the 2012 Festival.

This very English of occasions was founded in 1934 by John Christie along his opera singer wife, Audrey Mildmay at their East Sussex country estate in order that she would no longer need to travel great distances to perform. Since inception, Glyndebourne has been committed to presenting opera of the highest quality, commissioning new work, developing new talent and reaching new audiences.

2012 Festival Operas:

Leoš Janáček,’s The Cunning Little Vixen;  Gioachino Rossini’s  La Cenerentola; Giacomo Puccini’s La bohème;  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro; Henry Purcell’s The Fairy Queen; Maurice Ravel’s  Ravel Double Bill

There are many traditions associated with the festival including ticket holders wearing full black tie and evening dress to afternoon performances in recognition of the hard work of all involved in the productions. This in addition to the partaking of picnics before the performances on the lawns, creates a most unusual and special atmosphere and this is before a note has been sung. Glyndebourne's Chief Executive since 2000 is Gus Christie, the grandson of founder John Christie and in a continuation of the tradition, resides at the house with his opera singer wife Danielle de Niese.

Merriment, Lucy Unwin, on display at Glyndebourne, Summer 2012

Gus and the team have selected the pieces on display for their ability to not just simply compliment the landscapes and operas but, to play an integral part in the planning, preparation and execution of the festival as from March the entire production team moves to Glyndebourne in order that every aspect of the operas is developed in-house.

Lucy Unwin will be displaying three figurative steel works in and around the Croquet Lawn and a selection of marble and alabaster carvings in the Foyer and Shop. 

The inspiration for Lucy Unwin’s steel and stone work derives from natural forms, be it organic shapes found in nature or, the human figure itself. She currently works from her studio in the Cotswolds countryside, a location which can be seen to clearly influence her work and its subject matter.

Her steel work concentrates on the human form but is always reflective of its settings; the architectural, net like effect of the steel she sculpts ensures that each work merges beautifully with its landscape as if it has grown from the ground up.

http://degreeart.com/figurative-portraiture/carol-peace/possibly

In ‘Merriment’, the group of three graceful dancers, lost in their own world depict a beautiful Matisse-like interpretation. They are strong yet fluid in their movement. The lone, stationary figure in ‘Contemplation’ achieves a sense of solidity which is heavily represented within the galvanised steel used in Lucy’s figurative sculptures.

This strength can attributed to not only the material itself but by the immensely physical creation process; something that Lucy relishes and considers as an essential element of the creative process, bringing her closer to the subject matter.

Possibly, Carol Peace, on display at Glyndebourne, Summer 2012

Carol Peace is a sculptor who could not work without drawing, like a musician playing the musical scales; it provides the artist with a deeper understanding of her subject. Strongly influenced by her time spent at The Princes Drawing School, and her involvement in founding the Bristol Drawing School, Carol’s work is heavily figurative. Carol's work will be displayed around the Lake and in the Shop.

The sculptural pieces, exhibited around the lake at Glyndebourne, stand larger than life and are strong figures whose actions and endeavors are familiar to the viewer. The key sculpture 'Possibly' is about new beginnings and the possibilities within us all. It is about making the most of each and every day. The dive represents potential
danger combined with the anticipation of exhilaration, weightlessness and freedom.

The beautiful detail and emotion encompassed in this work are also represented in the collection of smaller ‘Block People'. This series represents perfectly the drama of everyday life, the flash of a look, the tilt of a head, the pressure of a hand in yours, of skin resting on skin.

All of the sculpture pieces are for sale and available to purchase through DegreeArt.com or the Glyndebourne Shop. The artists are all available to commission. Please contact Chloe@DegreeArt.com/ 020 8980 0395 for further details.

Venus by Lucy Unwin

More about Glyndebourne:

Glyndebourne Festival, which runs May to August each summer, produces and presents six productions in a 1,200-seat opera house which was built in 1994 and attached to the original building. Following the end of the Festival, Glyndebourne on Tour, founded in 1968, takes three productions around the UK each autumn. Together, Festival and Tour present close to 120 performances a year to an audience of 150,000. Glyndebourne’s widely respected Education program, established in 1986, hosts over 230 community and outreach events a year. And Glyndebourne has pioneered using recordings to bring its work to a worldwide audience through broadcasts, cinema screenings, DVDs and internet streaming. Crucially, Glyndebourne has remained financially independent since 1934.

Although it receives valued Arts Council support for the Tour and some educational work, the Festival receives no public subsidy. Glyndebourne is a registered charity, funded by box office income, its members and supporters.

Visit the Glyndebourne Website to learn more and purchase tickets

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