Wynne Gallery, Stowe School
MICA were commissioned by Stowe School on behalf of the David Wynne Trust, to rejuvenate their gallery space to display key works and archive material of the renowned 20th Century British sculptor David Wynne. The project is one of series celebrating the centenary of the founding of the school in 1923, including the restoration of the lost Headmaster’s Roxburgh Garden by the modernist landscape architect Brenda Colvin.David Wynne Gallery at Stowe School
The new Gallery is part of the wider Sculpture Trail of Wynne’s sculptures across the historic landscaped gardens. The Gallery is part of four linked spaces running over 65 metres in length, collectively known as Plug Street. It is one of the school's main routes through the mansion and is located adjacent to the headmaster's office and his library by John Soane. The Gallery is a key aspect of the visitor journey through its connection to the Stowe House Welcome Centre.
MICA's design approach was to simply unify the long space by editing as much of the found visual clutter along the course. This included cloaking services in modern white mesh and the introduction high-quality flexible lighting. Walls have been painted white and the artworks are placed on a series of raised plinths that visually link the spaces and been carefully positioned within a range of niches and archways.
The Four Phases - Four Themes
The route starts by the Welcome Centre and moves east to the headmaster’s office and back to terminate on the half-moon window.
Comprising of four main spaces coupled with four themes: Introduction to the oeuvre; biography; making; and praise.
The plan has a multitude of niches, rebated nibs and arches to use in the display of the work.
– Introduction to Wynne’s Oeuvre
– Biography to Wynne’s Oeuvre (Adjacent to Egyptian Hall)
– Making (Adjacent to General Office and Head’s Office)
– Praise (East End - Outside of the Gothic Library)
Artist Background
Born in 1926, David Wynne was educated at Stowe School between 1939-1943, where he furthered a love of nature instilled in him from an early age. David took up sculpture professionally in 1950 and created a series of bronze pieces of The Beatles and members of the Royal Family including the then Prince Charles. Wynne was commissioned to prepare designs for the fifty pence in 1973 to commemorate Britain’s entry into the European Economic Union. David’s youthful vision of the world, surrounded by great architecture and even finer landscape at Stowe, where his love of sculpture was encouraged and where he realised that in sculpture his own talents, interests, indeed, his own being, lay.
