‘Uncommon Ground’ Sculpture Exhibition

“Uncommon Ground IV,” an outdoor sculpture exhibition curated by Cheryl Sokolow of C Fine Art and produced in partnership with Peconic Land Trust, returns to Bridge Gardens in Bridgehampton for its fourth edition.

The exhibition opens at noon on Saturday, June 26, and will feature a VIP reception over Labor Day weekend. The show will remain on view through September 29, 2022. This year’s lineup at the 5-acre Bridge Gardens property will include 20-plus larger-than-life sculptures created by the hands of 14 contemporary sculptors working in a variety of materials including metal, stone, marble and wood.

The exhibition allows for amply distanced viewing, and anticipated programming will include music, curator’s tours and artists’ talks throughout the year.

According to a release from C Fine Art, “‘Uncommon Ground’ explores our relationship with the natural world and the one we create. The dynamic of the garden itself, with its undulating play between the purely natural and ‘cultivated,’ provides the substrate or “ground” from which the sculptures are seemingly born.”

Participating artists in the show include Kevin Barrett, Norman Mooney, Bill Barrett, Joel Perlman, Hans van de Bovenkamp, Richard Heinrich, Robert Perless, Alex Barrett, Gino MIles, Carole Eisner, Harry S. Gordon, David Hayes, Steve Zaluski and Peter Rosenthal.

Kevin Barrett’s sculpture “Guided Spirit” was created expressly for the exhibition and its rhythmic, organic forms echo the immortal branches of nearby trees and the lyricism of the garden terrain. Norman Mooney’s “Butterfly Effect” seems to have germinated from the garden soil, growing beyond its physical possibilities, while Robert Perless’ kinetic “Pulsar” is beckoned by the wind and light to create a trail of reflective rainbows and curiosities.

“The sculptures are wonderfully paired with their surroundings,” said Bridge Gardens Director Rick Bogusch. “They enhance the garden landscape and provide another layer of meaning to our visitors.”

Founded in 1988 by Harry Neyens and Jim Kilpatric, who designed and installed the gardens over the ensuing 20 years, in 2008, Bridge Gardens was donated to the Peconic Land Trust, a nonprofit organization that conserves the working farms, natural lands and heritage of Long Island.

Bridge Gardens is at 36 Mitchell Lane in Bridgehampton. For more information, visit peconiclandtrust.org.