NORFOLK.- A major exhibition of new works by the internationally celebrated British sculptor Richard Long opened at Houghton Hall in Norfolk on Sunday 30 April. The exhibition, EARTH SKY: Richard Long at Houghton, including new work specially commissioned for the grounds at Houghton, will run until 26 October 2017.

Richard Long is one of the most influential figures of conceptual and land art, one of a generation of distinguished British artists who have extended the possibilities of sculpture beyond traditional materials and method. His work is rooted in his deep affinity and engagement with nature.

The artist’s new works in the grounds of Houghton Hall use a variety of materials, including local Carr stone, flint from East Anglia, tree stumps from the Houghton estate, as well as slate from Cornwall. They accompany his permanent sculpture Full Moon Circle, which was commissioned for Houghton in 2003. The exhibition also includes large mud works in the outdoor colonnades, smaller-scale works in gallery spaces, and historic material relating to the artist’s career.

EARTH SKY: Richard Long at Houghton is curated by Lorcan O’Neill in association with the artist. The exhibition is accompanied by a specially produced catalogue, with an essay by Rudi Fuchs, former director of the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, and an interview with the artist.

The show is the largest since Long’s retrospective at Tate Britain in 2009, and an opportunity for visitors to see new site-specific works set within the historic landscape and gardens at Houghton. The exhibition sits alongside permanent artworks by a range of contemporary artists, including James Turrell, Zhan Wang, Jeppe Hein, Stephen Cox, Rachel Whiteread, Anya Gallaccio and Phillip King.

Lord Cholmondeley said: “I am delighted that such an important exhibition of Richard Long’s work is being presented at Houghton. It is particularly exciting that the new works have been created especially for the grounds, with some made from local materials. My hope is that in time Houghton will become a ‘must-see’ destination for those interested in contemporary art and sculpture.”