Historic mansion hotel partners with world-renowned sculptor to launch artist in residence showcase

Sculptor Ed Elliott has created a striking new exhibition at De Vere Tortworth Court near Wotton-under-Edge – with huge guardian angels to be found in the garden and a series of smaller sculptural surprises popping up inside the hotel.

By Emma Luther | Published Thursday 24 April 2025

Ed Elliott’s residency exhibits a significant number of his pieces of art, set against the hotel’s historic arboretum and within the hotel’s public areas.

De Vere, a collection of historic mansion house estates and contemporary hotels, is launching its first ever artist in residence programme — in Gloucestershire.

Partnering with award-winning sculptor Ed Elliott, De Vere Tortworth Court, near Wotton-under-Edge, is now home to an array of artwork.

The pieces in bronze, resin and wood are showcased within the 30-acre grounds as well as throughout the hotel’s atrium, reception and lobby.

A striking large-scale centrepiece of a guardian angel sculpture sits in prime place on the hotel terrace and will remain there until Wednesday 16 July 2025.

The angel won Sculpture of the Year 2020 at Cotswold Sculpture Park and was also the feature piece in the winter sculpture exhibition at RHS Rosemoor in Devon.

As part of the residency, Ed is also in the process of sculpting a bespoke piece of art from a 4ft branch from a fallen 400 year-old cedar tree in the hotel grounds. Once completed, it will be added to the display.

Ed said: 'I am delighted to be partnering with De Vere as their first artist in residence. De Vere is committed to preserving their historic mansion houses, which goes hand in hand with what I do with wood — so it felt like a natural partnership.

'The Tortworth cedar is the biggest I have seen and therefore has the largest opportunity for what could possibly be my best work yet in this field.

'I feel compelled to create something special with this specimen that is designed to highlight the unique qualities of this tree's growth, much of which can only be realised when I begin to work with the wood itself.'

Co-CEO at De Vere, Alan Corlett, said: 'We are incredibly excited to be working with the exceptionally talented Ed Elliott on our first ever artist in residence programme.

'The exhibition enables us to use our extensive grounds at De Vere Tortworth Court in a new way, enhancing their natural beauty and providing an accessible experience for our guests.

'The Tortworth cedar sadly started to succumb to the elements seven years ago, so by breathing new life into the tree and turning it into a piece of art, Ed is preserving it for years to come.'