David Kemp – Visitor Centre – 1995
Photograph taken 1995
Material: Wood, Metal, Organic Materials
Trail: Millwood Trail
Theme: Industry
Form: Figurative – Human
Size: 20 Feet High
Maps Featured on: 1997 & 2000 – 2020
Status: Still in Situ, very weathered, March ’24
Quote from the Artist: “A figure of great antiquity, (it) represents an idealised image of man the hunter, the mystic, the guardian. He lives in responsible husbandry with nature, and seeks a symbolic relationship with his environment and its renewable resources. The Ancient Forester is a noble ideal.”
The Iconic face of Grizedale. Created as a replacement for the original Ancient Forester who was moved up to Carron Crag when this one was made in 1995. A huge wooden figure complete with metal axe and a bird perched on his shoulder. His head features real antlers from a red deer stag from the forest. Sited in what used to be the car park but is now the start of Go Ape in the visitor centre. He is impossible to miss.
Recently he’s had a paint touchup, and repair as you can see from the two photographs below taken 14 years apart. Overall he’s still faring up pretty well, though his leg is looking a bit rotten and he’s lost some toes. He still has his bird perched on his shoulder.
Photographs taken September 2017
Artist’s other work in Grizedale –
Scale Green Birdman – 1981
The Heron – 1981
Rook Crossing – 1981
Deer Hunter – 1982
The Woodwinders – 1984
Ancient Forester 1 – 1987
Forest Fugue – 1984
Exhibition – 1984
Artist’s Website: www.davidkemp.uk.com
Page last updated Oct 2022
Grizedale Forest Sculpture An Unofficial Archive 