26 April 2012 Last updated at 17:33

Antony Gormley displays clay men at Barrington Court

This spring and summer three rooms at Barrington Court near Ilminster, Somerset, will be filled with Antony Gormley’s acclaimed work, Field for the British Isles, consisting of 40,000 small clay figures.

Barrington Court is one of five National Trust properties around the country to be chosen to exhibit a special selection of pieces on loan from the Arts Council Collection, the largest loan collection of modern and contemporary British art in the world, as part of the Trust New Art programme.

Barrington Court is normally empty of furniture and the three ground floor rooms will be transformed by the presence of the exhibition of Gormley’s work. It is the first time that Field for the British Isles has been spread through three rooms.

Gormley is one of Britain’s foremost sculptors, his most famous work being the Angel of the North in Gateshead. His work frequently uses human figures. In keeping with the artist’s instructions, the installation will be set up by local people who will be working with a team from the Arts Council Collection.

Eight of the volunteers involved have been recruited from SCAT (Somerset College of Art and Technology). The students have a specific interest in installation and sculptural practice. Other volunteers work for South Somerset District Council’s arts and cultural unit while others volunteer already at Barrington Court.

The figures were made by a community of families in St Helens, Merseyside. It has taken five days to set up the installation at Barrington Court. “Having local community involvement is integral to this work,” said Paul Howard, who is managing in the installation for the National Trust.

In addition to hosting the exhibition, Barrington Court will be running workshops and visitors can make their own figures. Field for the British Isles will be on show from 28 April to 27 August 2012. For opening times and other information, contact the National Trust.

Somerset

Antony Gormley displays clay men at Barrington Court

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