The 2025 ForM Sculpture Exhibition at Bangor Castle’s Walled Garden was officially unveiled on Thursday 29 May, with the Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Alistair Cathcart leading the opening ceremony.
Hosted by Ards and North Down Borough Council, the exhibition is now in its 14th year and remains a highlight of the local arts calendar. Featuring 40 original sculptures placed throughout the beautiful Walled Garden, the event invites the public to experience the intersection of art and the natural environment in a unique and immersive way.
This year’s ForM Competition winners were announced during the launch event, with accolades presented by a panel of distinguished judges: Betty Brown, Amanda Croft, and Anna Smyth. The 2025 award recipients are:
1st Place – Helen Hanse, ‘Spring Heads 1, 2, and 3’
2nd Place – Rosalind Lowry, ‘Fragments’
- 3rd Place – Jennifer Young and Siúbán Regan, ‘Reclaimed Morphosis’ (collaborative sculpture)
- Highly Commended – Alison Hanvey, ‘Deliberation’
- Highly Commended – Sally Houston, ‘Book of History’
The Mayor congratulated the artists, commenting:
“A huge congratulations to this year’s winners. The creativity and craftsmanship on display are truly exceptional. ForM is a wonderful addition to the Walled Garden and enriches the visitor experience throughout June. I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to enjoy this inspiring exhibition.”
Patricia Hamilton, Arts Officer for the Council, remarked:
“This year’s exhibition is especially diverse and dynamic, with artists working in a wide range of materials to produce inspiring work. Each artist embraced the challenge of creating site-specific pieces that interact beautifully with the garden. The garden changes so much around the sculptures during the month of June, every visit offers a unique experience.”
The ForM Sculpture Exhibition runs until 30 June, with free admission. Many of the sculptures are also available for purchase. Visitors can pick up an exhibition map at the entrances to help navigate the artwork on display.
Opening hours for Bangor Castle Walled Garden are:
Monday to Thursday: 10am – 8pm
Weekends and Bank Holidays: 10am – 6pm
For further information, please visit: www.andculture.org.uk
