Art in Salcey Forest
The original series of nine sculptures was inspired by my observations and experiences whilst walking in Salcey Forest. I have since shown some of the sculptures in venues across the East Midlands and in London. Falling Seeds has been reinstalled to form a new Art Walk together with the five existing sculptures and three works new to the forest.
The sculptures combine images of archetypal inhabitants our ancestors 'saw' in forests and other wild places, with inspiration from quantum theories of energy and inter-relatedness, and my ongoing interest in depicting three-dimensional forms through line. The sculptures are made from fine wires and natural materials, blending with their environment rather than imposing upon it - if you look closely you will discover forms which I hope will add to your enjoyment of this very special place. See images of the sculptures and the map (also available on postcards you can pick up in the forest).
A guide to the art walk:
(The nearest car park to the walk is the Horse Box car park off the Bulls Head Road.)
Walking along the main trail from the car park, turn left at the purple waymarker into the Woodpecker walk.
A short distance along you will find to your right in a clearing
Regeneration - Three uprights of machined pine wood with three spirals of hazel suggest a 'tree' in an area which is being allowed to naturally regenerate following the removal of the pine tree plantation. A wild honeysuckle has been planted to grow up this sculpture. After three years in the forest the sculpture has now decayed and fallen (as would a tree). I will be working on Regeneration II soon.
Immediately opposite, to the left of the path
Wood spirit II - The top of a fallen ash tree trimmed and placed upright to represent antlers. I added a spider web as an initial 'gift' for the forest and visitors continue to add their own gifts to make this a wishing tree. Feel free to add your own gift/wish
Follow the path bearing right (another path goes to the left) to stay on the Woodpecker trail. Pass information post i6, and continue on until the path turns again to the right. A short distance along on the right you will see
Falling seeds - the spiral pattern of an Ash seed falling, hanging from an Ash tree
Continue along this trail passing a newly cleared path to the right, go over the bridge and walk to your right along the stream edge - across the stream you will see
Geodesic weave - A wire figure, 'contemplating' beside the stream. This sculpture is 'in process' - the clay of the original former has now mostly fallen away from the brass wire of the final work.
Back on the path you will come to a 't-junction', turn right and walk alongside an area of beech trees, at the end of this path take the small trail almost opposite and follow this as it leads into a pretty and secluded area of woodland (which is carpeted in bluebells in the Spring). Across the next bridge you will find
Wood spirit - a found object, the weathered root of a fallen Oak which has always reminded me of a forest spirit - I have subtly accentuated the features using woodstain and sandpaper
and Webs - nine stainless wire spiderwebs ranging from a large 'arch' you can walk through, to webs made with wire the thickness of a human hair ... see if you can spot them all!
Continue along the path and turn left onto a wider trail - near the end of the trail is a large ash tree on your left where you will see
Spirit weave II - The 'spirit' of an ash tree emerging from the trunk. Woven using lines of stainless steel wire to suggest the patterns of the bark.
Turn right just past this tree to walk along a more open trail. At the 'cross-roads' continue straight on until you get to the meadow on your left where you will find
Dancing figures - the first three figures 'dance' near a small Oak tree. These will be joined by more figures until they form a complete circle.
Return to the 'cross-roads' and turn left. Along this path you will see on the left-hand side, high in one of the Oak trees
Lunar - nine stainless steel spheres joined in a single disc which spins gently in the breeze to suggest the phases of the moon.
From here, follow the path and continue on past the bench to the next 'cross-roads' turning left (towards the car park). On the right in an Oak tree is the final sculpture
Body weave II - A ghostly form made with fine copper wires.
I can often be found walking around the area - don't be surprised if you see me making more work, taking photographs, or doing drawings as I continue to be inspired by the forest.