Monday, 3rd October 2016 – As the new 2016 / 2017 jump season approaches, in which Wincanton Racecourse will celebrate 150 years of racing, the course has commissioned a breathtaking bespoke sculpture created by local artist, Clare Tupman.
‘The Last Fence’ will be officially unveiled at Wincanton Racecourse at the opening meeting on Friday, 14th October by top sports TV and radio presenter, John Inverdale.
The sculpture is to be made of stainless steel and is set to stand about three metres high – similar to the height of a 16.2 thoroughbred when jumping.
Speaking about the sculpture and commission, artist Clare Tupman said: “I have always enjoyed challenges and making large pieces of artwork, and was thrilled to be approached by Andrew Wilkinson from Wincanton Racecourse to create a signature piece for the course.”
Tupman, located within walking distance of Wincanton Racecourse, trained at the Ruskin School of Drawing and St Martin’s College. A former couture seamstress and ceramicist, Clare has spent the last 12 years working on large sculptures with global commissions taking her all over the world from Australia, Abu Dabi to America and Europe.
The creative process of The Last Fence started with a two dimensional armature framework, to which Clare adds piece-by-piece sheets of manipulated steel to form a life size three dimensional object. Plasma cutters and a welder are essential tools, with the latter also used in the decoration process.
Clare adds: “My main desire is to work with this highly unforgiving material and turn it into a beautiful thing. This exciting commission was particularly challenging because for the first time ever, this sculpture had to be made in sections, and I questioned if it would actually work – thankfully it did!”
Huw Williams, General Manager for Wincanton Racecourse, explains: “Wincanton has much to celebrate and enjoy over the coming year, and this commission is a wonderful launch to an exciting season ahead.”
Gates open at 12:30pm for the six-race card and this season Wincanton will operate a one enclosure policy for mid-week fixtures, seeing the admission price of just £12 per person for the opening raceday on Friday, 14th October. On the day entry price increases to £14pp. Book now on wincanton.thejockeyclub.co.uk or call 0344 579 3014.
About Wincanton Racecourse:
Wincanton Racecourse is situated in the heart of Somerset – home to rural jump racing. Wincanton stages 18 meetings each season. Please find more details at wincanton.thejockeyclub.co.uk and through Twitter (@WincantonRaces) and Facebook facebook.com/WincantonRaces
Wincanton Racecourse is part of The Jockey Club, which has been at the heart of British racing for more than 260 years. Today the largest commercial group in the sport, The Jockey Club runs the largest racecourse group in the UK by turnover (2015: £174.2m), attendances (2015: 1.95m), total prize money (2015: £43.9m), contribution to prize money (2015: £19.9m) and quality racing (Group and Graded races); more than 3,000 acres of world-class training grounds in Newmarket, Lambourn and Epsom Downs; The National Stud breeding enterprise and education provider; and the charity for racing's people in need, Racing Welfare. Governed by Royal Charter, every penny The Jockey Club makes it puts back into British racing. More information is available at www.thejockeyclub.co.uk.
For further information please contact:
Hannah Walker, Wincanton Racecourse on 07971 598287 or hannahwalker@localdial.com
