Artist's Secret Sculptures Revealed After Death

Ray Exworth, a British artist, spent six decades creating an extensive body of sculptures that remained largely unseen by the public. These "astonishing sculptures" were housed in a series of sheds and shipping containers on his remote Cornish smallholding. Even his wife, Susie Exworth, 92, was often denied access, recalling that she "could not visit without an invitation."

Exworth, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 84, had only one significant exhibition during his lifetime, which took place at the Whitechapel Gallery in 1975. Following this exhibition, he largely disappeared from the art world. His works are described as "sprawling, intricate and wildly ambitious," constructed from a variety of salvaged materials. They have remained in the exact locations where he created them, filling seven studio sheds and several shipping containers.

Following Exworth's death, his secluded body of work is now being brought to light. Photographer Jem Southam has documented these hidden sculptures, offering a glimpse into Exworth's prolific and private artistic output. The revelation of these works aims to bring Exworth's significant contribution to sculpture to a wider audience, acknowledging his potential place among Britain's notable artists.