On Tuesday 16th May, the Lord Lieutenant, Marjorie Glasgow, will unveil ‘The Psychedelic Eye’ by John Lennon to launch this summers Sculpture at Kingham Lodge (Chipping Norton OX7 6YL)
The Psychedelic Eye by John Lennon, which recently returned from a world tour is on display at Sculpture at Kingham Lodge before being sold at auction, which means potentially it may never to be seen in public again.
In 1964 the Beatles John Lennon purchased Kenwood, a mock Tudor country house in Surrey and commissioned Italian tiler Rtirovato to install John’s design of the Psychedelic Eye as the end wall of his pool. In situ until 1985 when it was removed by the Swedish owners to save it for posterity.
From 2016 to 2020 the artwork toured the world as part of the V&A organised exhibition ‘You say you want a revolution, records and rebels 1966-1970’ from London to Montreal, Milan, Brussels, Melbourne and Paris before returning to the UK in 2020.
But from 20th to 29th May 2023 this unique artwork will be on display to the public at Sculpture at Kingham Lodge in Oxfordshire, before being auctioned at Bonhams in November, maybe to pass into private hands never again to be seen in public.
The Lord-Lieutenant will unveil the piece to visiting school children as part of the educational outreach of Sculpture at Kingham Lodge.
The 6th biennial charity show opens 20th–29th May, the largest event in the 41st Oxfordshire Artweeks festival includes a Pop-up cafe, children’s sculpture trail, toilets, and is wheelchair accessible.
A family affair, hosted by Chris and Delphie Stockwell who curate in an amusing and interesting fashion in and amongst the beautiful 5 acre garden they have created over the past 25 years.
Chris says
“We are delighted to offer such a wide range of sculpture this year from kinetic metal to sparkling glass, colourful ceramics, tactile pottery and wood, wire and stone.”
What is Sculpture at Kingham Lodge?
This is the sixth biennial sculpture show at Kingham Lodge, which raises money for a range of local, national and international charities through the sale of sculpture, refreshments and generous donations of our guests.
Set in 5 acres of stunning garden with glorious views over the Cotswolds, over 500 sculptures are displayed as you would like to see them in your own garden. By water, on open lawn, peeping from herbaceous borders, suspended in woodland and fluttering through bushes.
This gardeners paradise is a delight to meander in, with plenty of space for children to run around. And has a large refreshment tent with homemade lunch and teas on offer. Sculpture prices start at £5 so there is something for all budgets.
Among the sculptures, local and national British artists exhibit alongside tactile stone carvings from Shona artists of Zimbabwe and colourful creations of school children.
The Garden
A rare site of pH neutral ‘greensand’ this is a plant-person’s paradise amidst the inhospitable Cotswold brash. Unique is ‘The Moorish Pavilion’ (featured on ‘Amazing Spaces’ by George Clarke on Channel 4) inspired by the Alhambra; towers, courtyard and stunning glazed room stand in the centre of the garden displaying colonnades and lions hand carved in India and Africa, all assembled by local stone masons building with local stone.
Schools outreach programme
Since 2012 they have invested over £40,000 in an ambitious arts outreach programme in 22 North Cotswolds primary schools reaching over 3,500 children. This includes whole school workshops and prizes for art competitions, after school clubs, teacher training, art supplies and subscriptions to curriculum packages.
Event: Sculpture at Kingham Lodge
Address: Kingham Lodge, West End, Kingham, Oxfordshire OX7 6YL
Date and Time: 20th-29th May, 10am-5pm
Price: Free
