As if the gardens at Helmingham Hall weren't breathtakingly beautiful already, this summer they're enhanced by an impressive collection of almost 300 sculptures. They line the grassy Apple Walk, peep above the wild flower meadow, adorn trees, populate the parterre, rock the rose garden and even float above the moat. There's something to catch the eye in every direction.
The exhibition is this year's major event for Art for Cure, the Suffolk charity that Belinda Gray founded in 2014, following her own experience of breast cancer, to raise money for breast cancer research and to help support those affected by the disease. In almost a decade Belinda and her team of volunteers have raised more than £1 million through the sale of art and sculpture through exhibitions in East Anglia and London, plus two charity cycle rides in Asia.
Belinda is the motivator it all, but is always quick to acknowledge the tireless AFC team. She's also keen for people to know where their money goes and how it's used. She works closely with Breast Cancer Now and the Royal Marsden Hospital to understand where funds can be used to greatest effect. So, as well as national research, the charity funds services in East Anglia such as counselling, exercise classes, nutrition advice, pre-mastectomy advice, training gym instructors for breast care patients, and Little Lifts, which supplies chemotherapy support boxes. It donated £195,000 to the Blossom Appeal's fundraising campaign for the new breast care unit at Ipswich Hospital, has also founded a fund for training courses for specialist breast care nurses in Suffolk.
When it came to staging something on the scale of this event she was delighted and 'immensely grateful' that the Tollemache family donated Helmingham Hall and the gardens. The opening weekend even allowed visitors into the house for an exclusive three-day indoor art and sculpture event.
The outdoor exhibition, curated by Nick Crocker, Julia Scowsill and Jacqui Mayne, runs until September 17, and pulls together sculptors from around the country — eminent artists such as Joseph Hillier, Anne Curry, David Begbie, Carol Peace and Tanya Russell — as well as familiar local names such as Paul Richardson, Caro Burberry, Patrick Elder, Lucy Lutyens, and the metal workers and blacksmiths that are Designs on Metal. There's something to appeal to everyone; amusing, thought-provoking, endearing, captivating, moving, occasionally baffling, but never boring.
Whether you're buying or browsing, it's a wonderful way to spend an afternoon and Wright's Cafe is open in the Coach House to refresh you.
Art For Cure Sculpture at Helmingham Hall Gardens (sponsored by Birketts and JM Finn) until Sptember 17. artforcure.org.uk helmingham.com
