Elisabeth Frink: Exhibition marks 30 years since sculptor's death

Elisabeth Frink worked from a studio near Bulbarrow Hill in Dorset

A major exhibition marking 30 years since the death of sculptor Elisabeth Frink has opened at Dorset Museum.

More than 80 sculptures, drawings and prints tell the story of Dame Elisabeth's time at her rural studio in Woolland near Blandford Forum.

Many of the objects have never been on public display, including original plaster sculptures, personal possessions and photographs.

Dame Elisabeth's studio has also been recreated for the show in Dorchester.

Works include those gifted by the Frink estate in 2020 following the death of Dame Elisabeth's son, Lin Jammet, as well as pieces loaned from other collections.

Dame Elisabeth lived at Woolland from 1976 until her death in 1993

Annette Ratuszniak, former curator of the Frink estate and archive said: "This also a tribute to Lin, in terms of looking after his mother's estate and giving it to the nation so this sort of exhibition could take place.

"He always wanted to keep that connection with his mother living at Woolland - it was a special place for her."

Museum exhibition manager Lucy Johnstone said: "We are focussing on her years at Woolland with her third husband, Alex Sharkey.

"We want to take visitors through the driveway at Woolland and into her home, through her studio and out into her garden.

"The second part of the exhibition is exploring some of the major themes in her art, including human rights and her belief that we need to respect the dignity of animals."

Dame Elisabeth's studio has also been recreated for the exhibition

Ms Ratuszniak said: "It is getting close to Frink, getting close to her passions, her way of working and how she expressed it."

Dame Elisabeth lived at Woolland from 1976 until her death, aged 62, in 1993.

Her public works include the Dorset Martyrs Memorial at the junction of South Walks Road and Icen Way in Dorchester.

The exhibition at Dorset Museum runs until 21 April.

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