Bridget McCrum: The Conference of the Birds sculpture exhibition launches at Blenheim Palace Gardens

The work of acclaimed sculptor Bridget McCrum will be showcased in a brand new summer exhibition which opens this month in the Walled Garden at Blenheim Palace.

Bridget McCrum: The Conference of the Birds (April 27th to September 14th) focusses on her iconic bird sculptures in stone and bronze, partially inspired by the 12th century Persian poem, The Conference of the Birds. Now in her nineties, McCrum has stopped carving, and the Blenheim Palace exhibition includes her final stone sculpture.

At the centre of this solo exhibition of 20 of her works is McCrum’s Merlin sculpture; a vast stone bird soaring triumphantly. The piece was commissioned by Rolls Royce to commemorate the company’s most famous engine, the Merlin, named after the eponymous seabird, which was integral to British fighter planes during the Second World War, such as the iconic Spitfire.

Heather Carter, Managing Director of Blenheim Palace, said: “It’s a real pleasure to host the work of such an acclaimed artist as Bridget McCrum, and given Blenheim Palace’s connection to Sir Winston Churchill, it’s apt that her Merlin sculpture takes pride of place in the show.”

Entry to the exhibition is free to all ticketed visitors to Blenheim Palace and annual pass holders.

For more information and to book tickets, visit www.blenheimpalace.com

Bridget McCrum is represented by Messums ORG.

 

ENDS

Issued on behalf of Blenheim Palace. For more information please contact Jon Perks at Cab Campaign – estate@cabcampaign.co.uk

About Blenheim Palace

Home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1705, Blenheim Palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Set in over 2,000 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped park and gardens, it was designed by Vanbrugh in the Baroque style and is also the birthplace of one of Britain’s most famous leaders, Sir Winston Churchill.

With over 300 years of history to share and one of the most important and extensive collections in Europe, the magnificent stately home has a rich variety of cultural highlights and an extensive programme of special events and exhibitions.

The total Estate expands into a further 10,000 acres outside of the designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and focuses on care for the land through sustainable means, pursuing net zero, the growth of the local economy, the provision of affordable homes, apprenticeship training and supported community groups as part of its ambition to make this part of Oxfordshire a fairer and better place.

About Messums

MESSUMS WEST: A leading multi-purpose gallery and arts centre set inside a restored thirteenth century tithe barn with surrounding buildings, gallery space, sculpture garden and restaurant. It hosts exhibitions, symposium and performance through the year.

MESSUMS LONDON: A commercial presentation space on Cork Street behind the Royal Academy. It hosts a programme of exhibitions of modern and contemporary art.

MESSUMS EAST: Opening in Spring 2026 at the Old Post office at 51 London Road is being reimagined as a venue for exhibitions, artist studios, residency and community engagement.

MESSUMS CREATIVE: is the social outcome programming arm of Messums ORG. It provides access to education for individuals and communities through workshops, interactions, films, discussions, residencies and outreach projects. It is supported by Messums, our donors and impact partners.

MESSUM ORG was founded by Johnny Messum in 2016 as a platform to provide a circular relationship between art and social engagement.