Art at the Edge, a social enterprise public art organisation, have commissioned 30 British artists to produce bronze sculptures celebrating 30 different Olympic and Paralympic sports for their exhibition, ‘Sculpture and Sport a celebration for 2012’.

One of the commissioned sculptors Sue Freeborough, chose to depict Fencing, and studied the fencers carefully; ‘I was attracted to the double qualities of the sport of fencing. I wanted to capture the contradictions between the fierce competition of two people, born out of the historical sense of survival, and the graceful, skilled gestural movements of a competitive sport.  Furthermore I liked the opposition between the menacing masks, dangerous foils and purity of white clothing which offered me a visual aesthetic. Much of my work involves two people and their interactions, so although fencing is a sport for clubs and shared efforts I wanted to show the art of duelling.’

Sue’s stunning sculpture will be on display in the Beazley/Hillier garden ‘Duel and the Crown’ at the Chelsea Flower show from the 22^nd-26^th May. Andy McIndoe, Managing Director of Hillier Nurseries and Garden Centres and Designer of the Hillier Chelsea Exhibit for the past 23 years said, ‘I am delighted to feature the stunning bronze sculpture ‘Fencing’ by Sue Freeborough. Although it may be small in stature it is big in presence and perfectly captures the dynamic energy of the sport’.

The sculpture that will be shown at Chelsea has been loaned by the Tasburgh House Hotel in Bath. Proprietor Sue Keeling bought the first edition of the sculpture last year. It usually takes pride of place on the side board in the hotel’s dining room.

All the sculptures in the Art at the Edge collection are for sale as limited editions. Profits from the project go to support disabled and disadvantaged young people through the life changing work of the Youth Sport Trust and the British Paralympic Association.  For this sculptor that was another positive reason to be involved in the project; ‘I was very interested in the concept of drawing attention to disadvantaged children and their need for involvement with sport.  Sport in the community offers a sharing and responsibility to others, with a sense of ambition and expectation that may not be in the lives of the disadvantaged.  I was pleased to think that sales of my work might help towards these aims.’

‘Sculpture and Sport a celebration for 2012’, is currently on exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum Oxford, until 20th May. It then moves to the Victoria Art Gallery Bath from 26th May-1st July and finally to gallery@oxo London, from 31st July – 13th August. www.artattheedge.org.