Today (Tuesday 29th June) sees the installation of a monumental equestrian sculpture “Artemis”, on the South Downs in the Goodwood Estate. Designed by sculptor Nic Fiddian-Green, the sculpture will measure 30 foot high and will be positioned at the highest point on the Trundle in the Goodwood Estate, in time for the opening of Glorious Goodwood.
The 4 tonne large-scale bronze sculpture will overlook the Goodwood racecourse, and its imposing size will mean that surrounding areas including Chichester and Singleton will be able to enjoy its grandeur and beauty. The sculpture will be lit at night, showing the shining horse of the South as a landmark in the Sussex region.
The installation of the sculpture will include a precarious journey up a steep track with the 4 tonne sculpture being reversed into place using a 60 foot flat bed lorry.
Artemis will then be moved to the members’ lawn at the racecourse to celebrate the start of Glorious Goodwood in late July, and then to the front of the estate house for the inaugural Vintage at Goodwood Festival in August. The artist started designing the contemporary piece in autumn last year following the support of Artemis Investment Management, to be finished in time for the flat racing season in 2010.
Nic Fiddian-Green said, “My primary aim is to place beautiful works of art into the landscape and I can think of nowhere more powerful for my Greek horses head ‘Artemis’ than on the ancient site of the trundle at Goodwood overlooking the steeple of Chichester Cathedral to the sea and across to the Isle of Wight...”
From his workshop near Godalming in rural Surrey where he has worked for the last 20 years, Fiddian-Green creates his epic works of art from clay. He oversees the casting into bronze using the ancient ‘lost wax’ technique, a process that has fascinated him throughout his career. The alchemy of molten bronze pouring into his moulds at 1200°c has been a process that he needs to be a part of in the creation of his work. He always patinas (colours) his work himself, a process that other sculptors rarely do; his work is noticeably unique in its final finish as a result.
Sculptor, Nic Fiddian-Green, caused a huge stir recently with a 30ft bronze 'Marwarri Horse at Water' which stands serenely at London's Marble Arch.
Fiddian-Green fans include: Ringo Star, JK Rowling, Tom Cruise and Sir Anthony and Lady Bamford, the latter of who will install one of Fiddian-Green’s sculptures imminently at their Daylesford estate in Gloucestershire.
Speaking about his work, Fiddian-Green comments, “Back in the 1980s during a visit to the Elgin Marbles at London’s British Museum whilst an art student, I first saw the horse of Selene which sparked a lifelong passion for the horse’s head. In my work I try to emulate the skill, vitality, balance and beauty of the classical art that inspired me all those years ago.”