Pat Leighton – Scale Green – 1986
Material: Stone, Earth
Trail: Silurian Way
Theme: Landscape
Form: Abstract
Size: 6.5 ft. x 20 ft. x 4.5 ft. 12 tons of Silurian Slate
Maps Featured on: 1987 – 2020
Status: Still in situ, April 2023
Quote from the Artist: “I have explored a continued interest in Neolithic ceremonial sites, intrigued by the potent atmosphere they exude, their monumentality and mystery. I intended with ‘Silurian Cant’ to make a work which felt as if it purposefully belonged to its placing in the landscape, emitting a sense of timelessness.”
Photo by Bill Grant
“These four works are situated in a ritualistic sequence, whilst relating to the distant hill, Long Crag. The cutting and mounding of the earth integrates the structures to their surroundings. They connect to the earth, yet rise to push beyond, from the earth bound to the mystical. (My gratitude goes to Mike Bowerbank a local dry stone waller of distinguished skills).”
Photograph taken by Robzet approximately 1996
Sited up at Scale Green, the photo above shows how when the four stone cants were constructed, the area was clear of trees and resembles an open field with grass, where the sculptures are distinct. Created out of dry stone wall with the help of Mike Bowerbank in a wedge shape, they then had grass inserted along top to form a ramp which could be walked up.
Photographs taken 2012
Over time small birch trees have grown up around the artwork. It is still easy to spot as the Silurian Way trail winds its way directly past the four cants. Still in remarkable condition having been exposed to the elements for the entirety of over 30 years. The stone work has started crumbling in places but the structures remain the same. The landscape has changed more than the artwork.
Photographs taken 2018
Sculpture in other Artworks
Grizedale 1 – 1989 – Panayiotis Kalorkoti
I believe you can see the maquette of Silurian Cant in the top right of this picture of Bill Grant in his office. A similarly abstract Silurian Cant can be seen in the painting below.
Grizedale 2 – 1989 – Panayiotis Kalorkoti
Further examples of other sculptures used in Kalorkoti’s work can be seen in the Gallery in the Forest Page.
Artist’s other work in Grizedale
– Vigil – 1986
Artist’s Website: patricialeighton.com/
Page last updated April 2023
Grizedale Forest Sculpture An Unofficial Archive 