Arch and other work under way

With just 3 more weeks to go until our Sculpture Trail at Stourhead National Trust Estate starts, we are all working hard to get over 70 sculptures completed in time.  A fairly mammoth task which has absorbed us for months - we hope the outcome will be an enriching event for all to enjoy!  


The Stourhead sculpture trail, entitled “Beyond the Garden Gate”, will be installed by the Six Wells lakes and woodland that border the iconic Stourhead Gardens.  The sculptures will explore themes connected with Stourhead - its history, wildlife, classical mythology of sculptures in the garden and buildings that dot the landscape.


The images in this post show work in progress (some completed) by Fiona:

Steel Arch in the making - springs, horseshoes, old urns, tools and posts will form part of this 3-4 metre piece.  The Arch will overhang a pathway on the Trail.  A wire nest will be woven through at the meeting point between the two halves.

One side up

Helpers Jack and Georgia piercing and crushing cans to add to Fiona's giant Spider - previously created by Fiona for Glastonbury Festival '10.  Participants helped complete the work by adding crushed cans and bottle tops around its body of steel.  As the cans have faded in colour, we are updating it with a few new ones for the Stourhead Trail!

Georgia adding cans to Spider's body

Fiona's Owl for the Owl Tree

Chameleon has now been decorated with a full technicolour dreamcoat of bottle tops (completed at the Larmer Tree Festival '11).  Photos taken at Teignmouth Seafront, where Chameleon has been crouching for the Summer, as part of the Devon Recycled Sculpture Trail.  The bottletops may - or may not - remain on for the Stourhead Trail, when Chameleon returns to its resting place on a large mossy fallen tree overlooking one of the Six Wells lakes.  

New work started for the Trail

We have a few forthcoming events booked to show some of our work together, prior to the Stourhead Sculpture Trail.  The Sustainability Show in Taunton (19 June) and Frome Green Fair (10 July) are a couple of them.  Please come and see us there!


Fiona is  embarking on a new set of work for the Stourhead Trail, amongst other venues.  'Heron' is starting to take shape, after sourcing some interesting scrap steel forms for it.  I've rummaged for old tools, clambered over scrap heaps and filled a corner of my garden and studio, thanks to Pylle Motors and friends for kind donations of scrap steel, including a ton of horseshoes!

Still looking for recycled bottle tops, buttons and beads for my planned giant 'Chameleon'.   Made of steel, wire and colourful recycled materials,  it will hopefully be decorative and fun.   It has a few other venues booked, so an exciting Summer ahead!  Mid-construction, 'Chameleon' is due to go on tour to the Salvo Fair, Knebworth (24-26 June), where visitors can watch me making the structure!  The final decorative touches will be added by members of the public, together with me at the Larmer Tree Festival (15 July).  The effect will be hopefully vaguely mosaic and jewel-like (Gaudi-esque with a flavour of African beaded wirework).  The aim is to create further awareness and enjoyment of art and recycling.  'Chameleon' then tours to the Devon Recycled Sculpture Trail '11, and last but very importantly, it will be installed on a mossy fallen tree trunk overlooking one of Stourhead’s lakes.  This features as part of our Sculpture Trail in September entitled “Beyond the Garden Gate”.  Though contemporary in style, it will reflect its surroundings, and be reflected by them.

Any contributions of colourful bottle tops, buttons and beads much appreciated.  Thanks for donations already recieved!  Fiona