AN UPCOMING art exhibition will coincide with the formal reception of a sculpture in Salisbury's Guidhall Square to celebrate the city's future. 

The reception of the 'Turning Point' sculpture will be held at midday on Saturday, October 15, and will be attended by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Salisbury, alongside Rebecca Salter, the President of the Royal Academy.

‘Turning Point’ was commissioned through the Sir George Frampton Fund, as a special gift to Salisbury in 2018, where it was then made in Scotland just before the pandemic and installed in 2021.

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The tall granite sculpture was created by John Maine RA as a link between the city and the cathedral. 

John, who lives in Wiltshire, has regularly exhibited artwork since being elected to the Royal Academy in 1997 and described the sculpture as "a marker of confidence in the city after a troubled period".

It marks the passage of time as its shadow encircles its base. The stability of this spire of granite, which weighs five tons, contrasts with the twisting form and a sense of movement.

The upcoming gallery exhibition starts on October 15 and will run until November 16. It will include stone sculptures related to the Salisbury piece and will explore Maine’s process of drawing as a preparation for sculpture.

The exhibition called 'Young Galley' will take place above the library in Market Place. 

There will also be examples of his drawings that explore the landscape settings of his works, as well as new sculptures and drawings being exhibited here for the first time.

John was born in Bristol and studied sculpture at the West of England College of Art and The Royal College. He is known for several sculptures in various countries and his many public collections in the UK.