Kevin Harrsion's 1984 residency at Grizedale produced two striking sculptures, both with an animal theme.

 

This piece takes its inspiration from the novel 'The Plague Dogs' by Richard Adams (the author of 'Watership Down'), a story about two canines who escape from a brutal animal research centre and trek across Lakeland, pursued by shady government officials. Their plight is sensationalised in the press, with false rumours abound that they are carriers of bubonic plague.

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Adams was apparently inspired himself while at Grizedale; the animal research centre which features in the book was based on the Lawson Park estate (although I suppose I'd better point out in case their lawyers are reading, that Lawson Park is not, nor has it ever been, an animal testing centre).

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Kevin Harrison used the novel as the starting point for his sculpture, siting it in what used to be the grounds of Grizedale Hall. It seemed to jump out at you from behind the wall on the left as you entered, all long legs and ferocious jaws. Harrison said of the work:

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"Coming from my studio in London and working outside every day in Grizedale, which also housed the world's largest materials stock room at my disposal, was a liberating experience. I became familiar with a small area of the oak forest where every fallen tree was another potential sculpture."

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Also by this artist:

Confrontation 1984