The sculpture exhibition entitled ‘FORM’ runs until 16 May and features in excess of 200 pieces of indoor and outdoor sculptures from more than 30 top sculptors.

‘Boris’, a polar bear in bronze by artist Adam Binder is among the showstoppers set to impress visitors during the seven-week span of the exhibition.

Weighing in at 1,900kgs and the same size as the largest-ever recorded polar bear, ‘Boris’ travelled into the county on the back of a flatbed truck and arrived safely at the park at the end of February. It is now floating on an ‘iceberg’ in one of the many lakes at Sculpture by the Lakes.

This monumental sculpture has previously been exhibited in London’s Sloane Square following its release in 2013, where it was placed to raise awareness of this endangered species facing the dual threats of hunting and international trade, and habitat loss due to climate change. It later moved on to London Zoo, where it continued to symbolise the polar bears’ plight.

Adam Binder, one of Britain’s leading wildlife sculptors, said at the time: “If people stop for just a moment to contemplate Boris and the plight of the polar bear, it will have served a purpose. Art should make you think. Wildlife art, particularly a piece on this scale, will hopefully be poignant and remind us that we’re all part of nature and have a responsibility to every creature on our planet. The endangered polar bear symbolises this better than anything else and Boris carries an important message for us all.”

Sculptor Simon Gudgeon, owner of Sculpture by the Lakes and creator and curator of FORM said: “This is a spectacular and meaningful piece and, while it was no mean feat to get it safely in place, we are thrilled to see it installed here ready for FORM – The Sculpture Exhibition.

Boris, like all the sculptures, will also be available to purchase. All the exhibits will range in price from £1,000 to £300,000.

Alongside FORM will be The Dorset Garden Festival, taking place from 12–16 May. A five-day event with more than 30 exhibitors, expert talks, and tours of the stunning park with its botanic and kitchen gardens, created by head gardener and co-founder of Sculpture by the Lakes, Monique Gudgeon.

Due to the scale and the space of this outdoor venue, social distancing is easy to maintain. Tickets must be booked in advance and visitors will be required to maintain a safe distance from staff and other visitors.

For more information visit https://www.gallerybythelakes.co.uk/form