Barry Flanagan first single artist show for Beyond Limits

Date: 19th July 2012

For the first time the monumental, contemporary sculpture exhibition Beyond Limits will feature the work of a single artist, the British sculptor Barry Flanagan, RA OBE (1941-2009).

Opening at Chatsworth on Friday, 7 September for six weeks until Sunday, 28 October 2012, the exhibition will present a selection of Flanagan's critically-acclaimed late works (exhibition sculpture picture at Chatsworth available on request). Considered one of the most versatile, imaginative and radical sculptors of his generation, his characteristic bronze hares, represented in a variety of guises, will be installed throughout the gardens in playful counterpoint to the grandeur of their surroundings.

Spread out across Chatsworth's world-famous 105-acre garden, Beyond Limits is one of the annual highlights of the Arts calendar. This new exhibition is expected to draw thousands of art-lovers including visitors from America, Asia and the Middle East where Flanagan's work is avidly collected.

The Duke of Devonshire said: "Barry Flanagan is one of the most important British sculptors of the 20th century, so we're delighted to have the opportunity to display such a large selection of his works. We have one of his giant bronze hares on permanent display at Chatsworth and I am delighted that there will be many more for our visitors to discover as they explore the garden this autumn."

Exhibits will be on display from 11am-6pm every day at no extra charge beyond normal garden admission (standard adult garden ticket is £10.00 - see http://www.chatsworth.org/visiting/opening-times-and-prices/admission-prices for advance- purchase, family and other discounted ticketing options).

Best known for several permanent public sculptures, such as 'Nine Foot Hare' in the Victoria Plaza Hotel and 'Leaping Hare' on Crescent and Bell at Broadgate, London as well as his giant bronze 'Hare on Bell' at the Equitable Life Tower West in Manhattan, Flanagan also had some spectacular temporary installations, such as the procession of huge bronze figures that marched down the median of New York's Park Avenue.

Commenting on this year's Beyond Limits, Alexander Platon, Sotheby's Senior Director and Head of Private Sales, Europe, said: "It is especially exciting to be presenting these fundamentally British sculptures in this quintessentially British setting during the year of the Cultural Olympiad. The raised awareness of British art being promoted by a wonderful range of exhibitions across the country throughout 2012 creates a perfect opportunity to showcase some of Barry Flanagan's beloved late works." All of the sculptures will be available for sale through Sotheby's.

Over the past 15 years the Chatsworth House Trust and the Devonshire family have continued to purchase and commission contemporary sculpture for public display. In 2011 the award-winning artist Laura Ellen Bacon from Darley Dale in Derbyshire, spent three months creating a new work titled 'Forms of Growth'. Crafted using willow from Somerset and bamboo from the Chatsworth estate, the four metre tall archway, accompanied by three smaller woven forms, leads into the Kitchen Garden. Works by Dame Elisabeth Frink, Angela Conner, David Nash, Gary Breeze and Allen Jones can be found throughout the garden and park.

Chatsworth is open every day until 23 December. For more details on the packed events programme for 2012, what to see and do around the estate or where to eat, sleep and shop visit www.chatsworth.org.
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Notes to editors:
The Chatsworth House Trust is an independent charity (no 511149) set up by the 11th Duke of Devonshire in 1981, to ensure the long-term survival of Chatsworth for the benefit of the public. All admission and event income from visitors, together with a percentage of income from shops and restaurants, goes directly to this Trust, and can only be spent on the upkeep and improvement of the house, collections, garden, farmyard and park.

Chatsworth won Gold in the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2011 'Large Visitor Attraction' category organised by Visit England, the national tourism body and is a member of the Treasure Houses of England, 10 of the most magnificent palaces, stately homes and castles in England. www.treasurehouses.co.uk

Chatsworth is only 16 miles from the MI, 10 miles from Chesterfield, and 8 miles north of Matlock, in the heart of Derbyshire's Peak District National Park and is well served by transport links throughout the UK.

For further information or images please contact:
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