Cumbria’s Grizedale Forest is the location for the first episode in a major new Sky Arts series.
The six-part Landmark, which will be broadcast on September 6, is hosted by broadcaster, DJ and author Gemma Cairney.
It aims to delve into the purpose and power of public art and its mission is to create the UK’s next major landmark.
She will be joined by guest judge broadcaster Mark Radcliffe and experts Clare Lilley and Hetain Patel.
Northern artists Sadie Clayton, Saad Qureshi, and sapien studio – Steve Anwar – will compete to make the best local landmark.
At the end of each heat, the landmarks will be unveiled to the local community, who will join the judges to deliberate on which piece best sums up their area.
The winning artist will gain a coveted place in the final where they will pitch for a national landmark which one of them will be commissioned to create.
The final landmark will be on display in Coventry, UK City of Culture for 2021.
Grizedale was the UK’s first forest for sculpture. Since 1977 leading international artists have created sculptures at and for Grizedale Forest.
Hazel Stone, arts development manager for Forestry England, which manages the forest, said: “We were very excited when Sky Arts contacted us with their proposal for a new arts programme about public sculpture featuring such a strong line up of artists and designers and delighted to hear that Grizedale would be the launch location for the public to see the works created in the North of England heat.
“We were pleased to be able to support the artists and production company in finding appropriate locations for their pieces within this working forest.
“The pieces add to the 50-plus sculptures currently in the forest sculpture collection.”
The work by Sadie Clayton, Saad Qureshi, and Steve Anwar will be on display at Grizedale after all the shows have been aired – the schedule will be announced after the final show, due to be broadcast on October 18.
