At first or even second sight, you might not see anything odd about the stile at Broomhill Sculpture Garden.
Positioned at the edge of a field, near a path, where we’d expect a gate to be but freestanding, rather than bounded by a fence or wall, it’s easier go around than over or through. Wear on the tread suggests it is being used.
Three curved uprights have carved heads as finials, all facing skywards.
The ironwork is traditional and functional, but with a twist for those who are paying attention.
Curved bars on the gate underline that this is decidedly a one-off. A pity though. I’d be happy to see lots of versions on country walks.
Links
Sculptor Frank Triggs is willing to consider interesting commissions via his website, woodforms.co.uk
Stile and Gate was one of many quirky artworks by established and emerging artists at Broomhill Estate Sculpture Gardens in Devon, England.
Inspired by SquareOdds and shared for the Photographing Public Art challenge.Â
Susan Rushton 
oh yes wouldn’t it be lovely if every stile had these carvings and metal work.
Free smiles with every stile?
I am smiling just at the thought 🙂
Love it! So fanciful, which is always right up my alley.
The world is so much better for a touch of fancy.
Words that I live by, Susan. 😉
Great find
Thanks, Kelly.
Oh, I like this. Though we can boast a stile with no adjacent fence in a field near here.
We have a few with what you might call scrape-by gaps at the side – like desire paths, but for gates.
This is magical. I can see why people want to go over it rather than around.
Me too!
This is charming. Thank you.
I’m glad you liked it.
I especially like the way the metalwork echoes the carvings atop the posts. And, for this morning’s “Ah, ha!” moment, I just realized how ‘turnstiles’ got their name.
I liked the metalwork too, and the mix and match element.
I’d appreciate stiles like this. Our Cornish ones are often stone and steep!
We recently found a pair of stone ones nearby, but they are not common. They seemed very fine, given that many of ours, especially on the less used routes, have broken or barely attached treads that swoop and pivot when you start to put your weight on them.
True. The stone ones don’t deteriorate.
I’d love to see stiles like this around the countryside – it would be such fun to look out for the brilliant details. It amuses me that people actually go over this one. 🙂
I think I read somewhere that the artist is happy for his work to be approached and used.
I do like a stile, especially one with personality, Susan.
It’s got good proportions too. I’m sure some of the ones round here seem to be designed more as deterrents than enablers.
🤣💟
This one would be a treat to come across on a stroll through muddy meadows. Frank Triggs has shown us how everyday things can become magical.
It would. Ours are extremely muddy at the moment.
Susan, this is a perfect entry for Photographing Public Art, too, if you are interested in doing so. https://alwayswrite.blog/2022/02/04/ppac-34-best-gas-prices-in-arizona/
Of course – thanks for the reminder. I’ve added the link. 🙂
awesome. 🙂