On Form at Asthall Manor

Asthall Manor is a Jacobean house with lattice windows and pale stone all covered in clouds of roses. It is impossibly beautiful, a vision of England – and one that provided the basis for Nancy Mitford’s fictional Alconleigh, since the Mitford sisters grew up here. The scene today is a far cry from the dilapidated house that owner, Rosie Pearson took on back in 1997 with two small daughters in tow. She had split from her Rastafarian husband and moved back from Jamaica to Oxford, and somewhat bravely bought the place at auction. Back then they would cook supper in an old gypsy caravan – still in the grounds – as the house slowly took shape around them.

A Little Bird - On Form at Asthall Manor

The garden was designed by Isabel and Julian Bannerman in 1997-8 and 25 years later it feels fully established. Artichokes stand 6ft tall, enormous poppies open to the breeze. A wave of box hedge is cut with avenues that frame the view beyond; a vast bed of wild flowers thrums with bees; sweet peas are trained up the side of the tennis court and pathways weave down to the lake where the air is enchanted and cool.

This ethereal and romantic atmosphere provides a unique setting for On Form, the exhibition of contemporary sculpture that opens here biennially. This year’s exhibition includes 350 sculptures by 35 different artists with prices from £500-£50,000. They are all made in stone, meaning you can touch them and experience them in the landscape; a series of clouds float on the lawn, an origami-like owl sits in the woods, organic forms spread into the adjacent graveyard beside the house.

The idea for the show came about when Pearson asked an old school friend, the sculptor Anthony Turner (now her partner) to create something to top the house’s stone gateposts with. His curious knotted forms ‘like wonky root vegetables’ as Pearson puts it, raised some eyebrows in the village. Though she had no formal background in art, the idea for On Form began to grow and the first exhibition opened in 2002.

This ambitious, imaginative, and vaguely rebellious spirit seems to spread into everything that goes on here. The brochure invites visitors to ‘touch the sculptures, talk to strangers, laugh, cry or lie down in the grass.’ There are plenty of people lying about, though perhaps more fun is the chance to climb a ladder and observe the garden from up a tree. But don’t take it too far – there’s a tempting natural swimming pool all dappled with lily pads, beside which a sign reads simply, ‘No!’

The pool is just one example of Rosie’s interest in sustainability and ecology. The manor’s large kitchen garden is the home of the Potting Shed Café during the exhibition. Produce from here is transformed into delicious salads and focaccia sandwiches by a lovely Glaswegian named Fiona Cullinane, who also serves up tea in vintage cups and saucers. Free cake is given to anyone who arrives by bicycle – as good as an incentive for ditching the car as we’ve heard. We encourage everyone to visit, by bike if possible.

what:
On Form at Asthall Manor
when:
Until 10 July, open Wednesday - Sunday
where:
Asthall Manor, Burford, Oxfordshire, OX18 4HW
price:
£12.50
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