• ARCHIVE : Antony Gormley Field for the British Isles
    Date: 27 Jun - 23 Aug '09


    This event has now passed.  Over 38,000 visitors came to see 'Field' at Torre Abbey in summer 2009.  A similar art event is planned for summer 2010 - please watch this website for details.

    Join us for the highlight of Torre Abbey's year of contemporary art.  Antony Gormley's 'Field for the British Isles' is in the Spanish Barn at Torre Abbey, Torquay until 23rd August 2009.  The exhibition is free to enter and is open daily from 10am to 5pm.

    Built in 1196 by the ‘White Canons’ the Abbey is Torquay’s oldest building and its recent restoration provides an unusual setting for Gormley’s thought-provoking installation.

    The work was installed by a team of volunteers selected from across the local community. MP3 audio file - Making of Field

    Perhaps most famous for his giant sculpture, Angel of the North, Gormley’s Turner-prize-winning Field series is a startling and arresting sight: thousands of unglazed, fired, small clay figures, standing closely together, all staring towards the viewer. The Field for the British Isles’ comprising 40,000 clay figures will fill much of the Abbey’s huge Spanish Barn. 

    The Spanish Barn, venue for Field, is a medieval Tithe Barn originally built to store taxes paid to the Abbey in the form of grain, hay and other farm produce. The barn's unexpected name, and its place in the history books, was firmly established at the time of the Spanish Armada, when 397 prisoners were captured and held in the barn for a fortnight.

    The exhibition is open daily from, 10am - 5pm,  27th June to 23rd August 2009 in the Spanish Barn.  Entry to the exhibition is free of charge - donations are invited.  The Torre Abbey Contemporary Open exhibition is also running through much of the summer, from 18th July in the Torre Abbey Galleries (normal Abbey admissions prices apply).

    Make a day of it and take advantage of special offers at Torre Abbey Meadow.
    Ultimate Day Out Discount Vouchers
    Click here to download leaflet PDF 

    Plan your visit
    The Spanish Barn at Torre Abbey is 5 minutes walk from Torquay Train station.  It is also 5 minutes walk from the Seafront which has regular bus services from Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.  Bus routes are any of the 12 routes, X46 and 32. There are several pay and display car parks that can be used to reach the Spanish Barn atTorre Abbey:
    - Main car park at the Riviera Centre follow signs through car park
    - Torre Valley, Walnut Road
    - Abbey Park, Belgrave Road
    - Shedden Hill
    Coaches can off-load in the Torre Abbey entrance area (through main gates).  Parking is then at the Lymington Road Coach Station.
    Please note that there are no public toilets at the Spanish Barn.  Nearest public facilities are at Abbey Meadows and at the Torquay Seafront (by Torre Abbey Sands).
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