ALISON WILDING AT THE HEONG GALLERY

Alison Wilding is a world renowned sculpture who has evaded full-on fame. As admired as Anthony Gormley with whom she shares an inheritance in education, Alison ‘s work is revered among experts and collected by institutions as august as the Royal Academy and the Henry Moore Institute . At 75 years old her career stretches across the decades and her work is as arresting as when it sprang from the string of experimental Art Schools where she trained. - and emerges in wall from. mostly at this exquisitely put-together exhibition

Heong Gallery shows artwork and sculpture

It is still puzzles its adherents but the Heong Gallery remains much less well known than it deserves to be. A visit there is a real experience of delight . turn off Regent Street into Downing College and a gorgeous garden awaits. I was diverted by the splendid planting before I even got to the ( oh dear over-heavy) door of the gallery. But once inside ( willing assistants are happy to help you get in) and it is a remarkable space. Is it large or small? It is actually perfect and focuses wonderfully on the work. Alison Wilding must love this setting, modest and simple in her approach to art as she is.

The drawings appear far from the weighty ambitious sculptures of the past. But they require closes scrutiny. The detail and beauty of the fine sculpture is there , representative of their larger more robust cousins. Nor is Alison keen to illuminate on their meaning let alone their significance. it is an open genuine and honest approach when she declaims , they are what they are. what you see is what you get.

More reason than to get down to this beautiful haven in the town centre to confront an artist not by any means at the end but certainly in many ways, the zenith of a lifetime’s achievement. And make what you will of them. This is Alison Wilding’s wish, so let’s do that.