Please Note: Fishing will not be permitted on 23rd and 24th July
In 1985 a sculpture park was established within the grounds of the Park by the Welsh Sculpture Trust which exhibited work by internationally famous sculptors including Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Elizabeth Frink. The sculpture park has since been disbanded, however some of the sculptures remain.
The sculptures often capture the interest of our visitors. These pages give you a taster of each of them , some we know more about than others!
‘The Shout’ (made in 1982), is a depiction of a desperate kneeling mother holding the body of her dead child. From the information we have it was completed as a memorial to the victims of the war in Lebanon, the shocking images of which had been broadcast at the time on TV. The strength of the Shout sculpture are evidenced by the fact that it was moved to a secluded location in the park as visitors found it too disturbing when initially placed in a more prominent position. ‘The Shout’ can be seen just to the right inside the main gates to the Orangery Gardens.
William was an academic, novelist, sculptor, poet and Anglican priest. He was born in Port Talbot and his first language was Welsh. In 1964, William began to make sculptures under the influence of his close friend Barbara Hepworth. He had numerous solo shows, and also exhibited jointly with Josef Herman; his work is still in demand. Examples of it can be seen at University of Stirling, Cardiff, Exeter & Warwick. 'Helmut’, made of cast iron, can be seen on the grass lawn at the rear of the Orangery.
‘Rhiannon’ was made for the 1992 ‘Garden Festival of Wales’ at Ebbw Vale. The work is a female deity. The materials used relate to the heavy industrial past of Ebbw Vale. Its manufacture involved all four elements; earth, air, fire and water - enabling (according to the Celts) the fifth element - magic - to appear. David’s metal sculpture, Rhiannon ‘Divine Queen’ can be seen on the Orangery lawns close to the pergola walkway.
A simple looking sculpture made from Ancaster Stone. From a distance it looks like a boulder, but as you get closer, you can see faint leaf looking raised veins carved in the stone. The sculptor is known for his exterior sculptures, dubbed “iconic stone carved pieces that are large scale interpretations of natural form”, but he also painted, drew and made smaller sculptures.Pebble Leaf can be seen close to the ‘House of Four Seasons’ to the rear of the Orangery.
Paul Williams is a sculptor who works in a variety of materials, but one who really enjoys working in stone. ‘Wishing Stone’ is made from three blocks of cream Ancaster stone. One possible interpretation of this sculpture is that it represents a female form, possible Emily Talbot, representing the female fight for equality. The sculpture has suffered from weathering and staining from lichen, but still remains a strong and impressive sculptural form. This can be seen on the lawn alongside the Citrus House in the Orangery Gardens.
Carved from Alabaster marble and made by a German sculptor, as a gift for Thomas Mansel Talbot in 1817. The ‘Scene of the Deluge’ shows an emotional fight for survival. If you look at the sculpture from different angles you will see 3 different ‘death grips’, all relating to survival. This sculpture is to be found inside the Orangery (originally inside the Castle).
Carved in Ancaster Stone. Phllip was employed as a sculptor in residence in Margam Park. He is a stone carver and produced this piece originally to be sited in the centre of the impressive hedge maze. This feature of the Park has now gone. The sculpture has references to some of the gravestones found in the Abbey grounds, and contains some interesting relief images around the edges of the sculpture. Finger Maze can be seen alongside the path that follows the Ha Ha from the Orangery to the Castle.
Carved from red sandstone. In 1985 a nuclear reactor exploded in Chernobyl, Russia with devastating results. The sculpture shows in its form how the radioactivity has changed lives and environments, emanating from the reactor core. Its position in the Park is a stark reminder that we must nurture and cherish our nature environment. This sculpture is alongside the Abbey and Chapter House ruin.
Carved from oak. This sculpture has been in the Park since 1996 when the Japanese Garden was developed. The sculpture forms two almost identical parts, which stand either side of the path. The abstract forms represent two trees. The top half gives the impression of leaves, while the lower half forms the trunk of the portals. Obviously very little work was needed here, as they are originally trees from the Park! They can be seen at the end of the pergola walkway close to the Children’s Fairytale Village.
‘White Cloud’ is a stone structure, carved from two tonnes of Portland Stone. It was made in 1989 when Ayres was working as an artist in residence in Margam Park. The form is based on an abstracted cloud, also containing references to human and animal forms. The light coloured stone contrasts with the greenery of its location. Can be seen alongside the bamboos to the right as you walk up the main steps to the Castle.
Carved from Lancaster Stone. Christine Angus was a sculptor in residence in Margam Park in 1998. She was a stone carver and produced several pieces of work, which were very much influenced by the natural environment of the country park. ‘Deer Slot’ contains references to the hooves of the animals and the imprints or ‘slots’ they leave behind as evidence of their presence. ‘Deer Slot’ can be found to the right of the main steps leading from the Orangery to the Castle. It is set amongst the trees.