Introducing - My live edged American black walnut, 6 seater dining table with benches. Featuring inlayed butterflies of Indonesian green sandalwood, and braced with stag oak.. The Indonesian sandalwood was gifted from a dear friend who brought it over for me all the way from its source, the walnut from a local sawmill, and the stag oak sourced from our Westonbirt Arboretum from my friend @rivenoakdesign . This project was a labour of love, and if youâre interested, Itâs now for sale. So if you or anyone you know may be interested in more details then drop me a message for more. Aside from that blessed to finally have it properly photographed and to be able to share it đ§Ą
The sculpture will serve as a micro-ecosystem. At the top of the sculpture will be wooden bird nests for starlings and sparrows. Chosen as they are locally abundant and nest within the BS3 area. These 2 species are also known to be social and often even form mixed flocks to migrate. đ±
Within this sculpture my aim is to incorporate a self-sustaining habitat for local wildlife. Working closely with advice from @avonwt , the sculpture will serve as a micro-ecosystem. At the top section of the sculpture will be small wooden bird nests for starlings and sparrows. These were chosen as they are locally abundant and nest within the BS3 area. These 2 species are also known to be social and often even form mixed flocks to migrate. Formed into the small âoyster-likeâ mushrooms below will be a pool for water to be captured from rain water, which will act as a water source for the nesting birds. Also through the use of a âsolar irrigation systemâ, when rain is scarce the captured water will be drip fed down to planter of wildflowers within the oak planter at the base of the structure. The planter itself will also include forms of bug hotels, and âbee holesâ within the structure will help to complete the essential components for a complete ecosystem, hopefully to support the birds to thrive. đ±
Trees, plants, and mushrooms communicate through this network and use it to transmit signals if they are in danger, or deficient of certain minerals, and can transfer water, nitrogen, carbon and other minerals to one another via this network of fungi. It is essentially natures network for communication and support.Â
From this Iâve been attempting to draw the parallel between natures network, and ask what is the equivalent within our communities.
In the background over the last year Iâve been working in colab with @upfest projects, and @dandaraliving on a pretty exciting and unique one.. The project developed from a discussion on natures network of community and connection, which I believe is whatâs known as ; the wood wide web, or the âmycorrhizal networkâ. Iâll be releasing a series of posts over the coming days with more background to the project so if youâre intrigued to learn more then stay tuned đ±
First stage in the prep of my sculpture in colab with @upfest projects. In this first section Iâm preparing the telegraph pole which will be the base structure for the piece, and the engravings in the post are all designs drawn by the talented Eco Reps of Southville Primary School who I had the pleasure of running an assembly and workshop alongside the brilliant Tom of @bristolfungarium . Part 2 coming soon đâđ« âšđ€
đ± In the background over the last year Iâve been working in colab with Upfest Projects on a pretty exciting and unique project.. The project developed from a discussion on natures network of community and connection which I believe is; the wood wide web, or the âmycorrhizal networkâ. Stay tuned over the next few days & weeks as I have a tonne to reveal đ± So, do we enjoy seeing the âprocess?â Or are we more interested in the final outcome?
Summer throwback I never posted đč Quick Spontaneous mural for @upfest during the #upfestpresents weekender. Been a long time since Iâve sprayed so âscuse the control đ„
The adrenaline wear off of larger projects always hits me hard when I donât have another project to immediately move my hyper-focus onto. So these posts and stories were a bit of an exercise for me to be a bit more reflective and appreciate my recent successes rather than moving straight on to the next thing. Staying present is often a struggle myself and I know many freelance artists face. So if thatâs relatable - then give yourself a break yeah? Actively practice celebrating yer achievements big or small đ«đȘ
