Scottish sculpture park unveils celebration of two pivotal artists

THE work of two “incredible” artists who played a pivotal role in the creation of an award-winning Scottish sculpture park is to be exhibited as part of its new season.

Jupiter Artland in Midlothian will celebrate Ian Hamilton Finlay and Andy Goldsworthy, whose Clay Tree Wall will be shown for the first time in 12 years, along with rarely seen ­poetic works by Finlay.

This coincides with a celebration of Goldsworthy at the National ­Galleries of Scotland in Edinburgh. There are also international celebrations of the work of Finlay, who would have been 100 years old this year.

Jupiter Artland founder Nicky ­Wilson said it was hoped that ­visitors to the sculpture park would see Goldsworthy and Finlay’s works in a new light.

“Their sensitive and nuanced ­approaches to groves of trees, leaves, clay and stone seen in the gallery, imbue and shape how we experience the woodland, meadows and bedrock out in the open air,” she said.

Andy Goldsworthy, Stone House (Bonnington)

“It is also an opportunity for us to share the story of Jupiter from the early days through to the present ­moment and reflect on how much our vision has been shaped by these great artists.

“But most importantly, it is a ­celebration of their lives and works, which intertwine so poetically on-site at Jupiter.”

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Set over 100 acres of meadow, ­woodland and indoor ­gallery ­spaces, Jupiter Artland has to date ­commissioned more than 35 ­permanent site-specific sculptures from the world’s leading artists ­including Alec Finlay, Anish Kapoor, Antony Gormley, Anya Gallaccio and Charles Jencks.

Andy Goldsworthy, Clay Tree Wall

Visitors can book wild swimming sessions to take a dip in Jencks’s iconic Cells Of Life and there is a new ice cream stand there to provide refreshments.

For more conventional swimmers, Gateway bathing sessions in Joana Vasconcelos’s tiled pool can be booked online via the website.

New for 2025, families can drop in to free creative activities, bringing together art and nature and held in the Learning Area every Saturday and on Fridays during the school holidays.

Ian Hamilton Finlay, Xth Muse (2008)

From May, a new exhibition will open by artist Jonathan Baldock. Working across sculpture, installation and performance, Baldock’s works channel his interest in myth and folklore.

His new commission, WYRD, will be exhibited until September, with a chance to see earlier work, Warm Inside in the Lower Steadings, from May 9 until July 27.