Overlooked art prize captures the imagination

The Jerwood Sculpture Prize has been an annual fixture since 2001. Yet, since it lacks the glamour of more high-profile art prizes, few outside the art world know of its existence.

This could be due, in part, to the fact that this exhibition only has maquettes rather than finished works. Or it might be because the prize-winning commission won't be viewed in any London gallery or on any London pavement but in the grounds of Ragley Hall in Warwickshire.

High profile or not, the prize is still worth a handsome £25,000 for the winning artist. Of the shortlisted eight, these range from the eye-catchingly bizarre, such as Adam Burge's Falling Away From The Perfect to Juliet Haysom's more ephemeral Spring.

The first depicts Mars, the Roman god of war, collapsed from exhaustion between two trees, while the second - also inspired by Rome - features a simple and elegant mistspraying fountain. Both are a far cry from Graham Seaton's Composite (pictured), a proposed concrete mould of two circular polystyrene packaging fillers. Rather than interacting with the landscape, this resembles an alien landing.

Whatever you might think of the appropriateness of the main event winding up amid the manicured lawns of Ragley Hall, this year's exhibition has certainly engaged with some rather imaginative proposals.

Until May 23, Mon to Fri 10am to 5pm, Sat and Sun 10am to 3pm, free. Tel: 020 7654 0171. Tube: London Bridge/Southwark

Jerwood Sculpture Prize
Jerwood Space
Union Street, SE1 0LN