The Putney Sculpture Trail

 

take a stroll by the river and relax...

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The Putney Sculpture Trail
A unique collection of works, by veteran British sculptor Alan Thornhill, along Putney’s riverside from Leaders Gardens to Riverside Quarter.

Further Information
www.alanthornhill.co.uk
‘Spirit in Mass, Journey into Sculpture’ a 40 minute film by Anna Thornhill about Alan's life and work. e-mail: film@annathornhill.co.uk
Putney Town Centre Manager (020) 8785 0374

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There are some great cafe's, pubs and restaurants by the river in Putney; why not make the time to explore the trail and visit them at the same time!

The Putney Sculpture Trail has nine sculptures, and each has a map on its base showing the location of the others. It extends for about a mile. Either start at one end and work your way along or simply do the bits you fancy when you have the time.

Leaders Gardens, next to the river, is a park at the Western end of Putney with a cafe and kids play area near to ‘Exodus’ which marks the start of the trail from this direction.

Walk along the river past the rowing clubs and you reach the pubs and bars around Putney Pier, to see ‘Horizontal Ambiguity’ and ‘Load’. The Turning Point, at the corner of the High Street and Putney Bridge Road will lead you through to the delights of Putney Wharf and its riverside restaurants and bars, including Carluccios.

A cosmopolitan riverside setting in which to relax and take in the atmosphere. Walk along Deodar Road through Wandsworth
Park (one of Londons few listed parks) to view ‘Nexus’ and ‘Pygmalion’, near to Culture Cafe, before going into Riverside Quarter to see the final sculpture ‘Fall’ with more great riverside places to relax.

The Putney Sculpture Trail features a total of nine near life-sized figurative sculptures and is believed to be unique in London. It was installed in the summer of 2008, but began life
much earlier. Some 20 years before, nationally recognised sculptor Alan Thornhill donated the
sculpture ‘Load’ to the people of Putney and this was installed close to Putney Bridge. In the
winter of 2005 Thornhill approached the Putney Partnership with the offer of further sculptures.
The Partnership developed the idea of a sculpture trail with the sculptor. Successful funding applications were made to Western Riverside Environmental Fund and Wandsworth Council to enable the trail to be implemented, with help from local landowners, funding bodies, various council departments and specialist contractors. The result of these efforts provides a lasting legacy for the people of Putney. All those involved in the project hope that residents, workers and visitors to Putney enjoy the wide variety of works which comprise The Putney Sculpture Trail.

The sculptor asks you to view the sculptures with an open and enquiring mind, without
preconceptions of either form or meaning.


June 22, 2010