Wreningham artist’s life size stag appears at Norwich landmark

A larger than life size stag made from recycled agricultural materials is set to take centre stage as artists showcase their work in Norwich this week.

Norwich 20 Group (N20G) will be launching its latest exhibition of new work, called 'two-oh – for – two-oh-one-two', at The Forum today.

The five day display will see work contributed by the group's 70-plus members including paintings and sculpture.

One of the pieces of work on show will be Rachael Long's recycled stag.

The skeletal sculpture, which is 8ft at its highest, took Ms Long 400 hours to build and was last seen by members of the public when it formed part of the Bergh Apton Sculpture Trail last spring.

Ms Long, 43, from Wreningham, near Mulbarton, said: 'I'm really pleased with how its turned out and I'm really pleased it's going to The Forum.

'At the Bergh Apton Sculpture Trail it was in a big field so it will be interesting seeing it inside The Forum.

'A couple of years ago, I made a giraffe and it looked surprisingly small in The Forum, so it will be interesting to see.'

The stag would have turned a few heads over the weekend when it was transported on the back of a trailer from Ms Long's Wreningham home to The Forum.

It took five or six of Ms Long's friends to help her unload it and carry it into the Norwich landmark.

The full-time professional artist, who built the stag in her workshop and has been a member of N20G for three years, said: 'There's such a range of artists in Norwich 20 Group that the exhibitions are always a good show.

'With 80 members, you never really know what you are going to get.'

N20G was formed in 1944 comprising professional artists from the Norwich School of Art and Design.

Although originally limited to just 20 members, it now has more than 70, including several who exhibit regularly in the West End and abroad, covering all aspects of contemporary fine art: sculpture, print, photography and painting.

All aspects of the practice of contemporary fine art are represented within the group including sculpture, print, photography and painting. As well as Ms Long, current N20G members include Andy Campbell, David Holgate, Ros Newman, Vanessa Pooley and Laurie Rudling.

The 'two-oh – for – two-oh-one-two' exhibition will run from 9am to 6pm from today until Friday. Entry is free.

To find out more about the group, go to www.norwich20group.co.uk.

Are you part of an innovative project? call reporter Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk.