Art in the Park
Find out more about the art in Campbell Park, and the original plans to create a sculpture park.
Head, by Allen Jones, is one of the over 220 publicly owned artworks in Milton Keynes. Over 30 of these are in the custody of the Parks Trust and of these, 13 are currently installed in Campbell Park. Jones’ early career was characterised by his pop art work in the 1960s. Walking around this Corten steel piece from 1990, we find the main head shape is bisected by others which are reminiscent of the high heels that found in Jones’ earlier work. While the sculpture provokes a less controversial discourse than his 1960s Chair, it nevertheless makes a powerful statement about how the human condition comprises abstract planes, complex angles, and thoughts and desires that can change with the weather.
Image 1: Head, Campbell Park
Head sits at the foot of the Woodland Ridge, where in the mid-1970s an international sculpture park was planned. Originally conceived by Derek Walker, Chief Architect at Milton Keynes Development Corporation who enlisted support from Henry Moore, Anthony Caro, and Philip King.
Image 2: Extensive plans were drawn up for the International Sculpture Centre that was to be sited in Campbell Park (© Milton Keynes Development Corporation. Crown Copyright).
The park was to include a series of courtyards, galleries and glades with artist studios and a study centre.
Image 3: The sculpture park would include a permanent collection and temporary exhibits across several indoor and outdoor settings (© Milton Keynes Development Corporation. Crown Copyright).
As the cultural landscape shifted in the late 1970s, Walker’s plan failed to find funding. However, Edna Read, a leading figure in the development of arts strategies in Milton Keynes, took up the challenge and became a leading proponent of Campbell Park as an arts destination. In this film Edna Read describes her vision of a sculpture park (Living Archive: JHA/002/002)
There are always practical considerations to be balanced with aesthetic aspirations as Neil Higson notes in his contribution to the Bucks Garden Trust dossier on Campbell Park (which was instrumental in the granting of listed status to the park).
Whilst we planned that permanent public sculpture in key locations would be an articulation of the design, I was at the time involved with AIM (Art in Milton Keynes) led by Edna Read. She was a great enthusiast for changing outdoor exhibitions so, as detailed implementation of the park progressed, we were able to include places which could, but need not be, used for sculpture display. An outstanding exhibition of bronze figures based on Tai Chi positions showed how successful this approach could be. However, one figure was stolen sadly, reminding us of another world.
Neil Higson, Bucks Gardens Trust Site Dossier, Campbell Park, 2018
The bi-annual IF: Milton Keynes International Festival takes advantage of Campbell Park as a venue for events and as an outdoor gallery with its programme of temporary installations in the park which enhance the existing collection.
Image 4: Lucie Lom, The Dreamers, IF 2014 (Living Archive)
Follow the Campbell Park Trail to discover the history of this Grade II listed landscape. Featuring archive photos and videos with the people who helped make the park what it is today.
