Chatsworth Outdoors: Grounds for Sculpture, was a outdoor sculpture exhibition in the Chatsworth House grounds in Derbyshire, England. It’s aim was to
integrate art and nature within the estate’s historical gardens and landscapes.
An identity was required for the exhibition, which included designing custom signage, a logo and a guide to the sculptures and grounds.
The exhibition presented audience members with the art and nature of Chatsworth House through the creation of ‘viewpoints’; points of interest on the Duke and Duchess’ favourite walks. The sculpture collection featured post-war sculpture such as Antony Gormley, Elisabeth Frink, Allen Jones, Barry Flanagan positioned in response to the landscape. It also featured the installation Bower of Bliss, by 2018 artist-in-residence, Linder Sterling.
The identity drew inspiration from the act of exploration itself—visitors moving through the grounds, which function as a sculpture in their own right, and allowing their perspectives to shift with the experience. To reflect this, an identity that borrows from the visual language of navigation, centering on the compass as a guiding symbol. This was paired with a stencil-inspired typeface that echoed the signage and reinforced the sculptural concept. The signage itself was crafted from custom- built steel sheets, powder-coated for durability against the often harsh Northern weather.
