New sculpture in the Forest of Dean

On a recent walk in the Forest of Dean we came across a new addition to the Sculpture Trail. The work called "Gathering" is by the Gloucestershire sculptor, Julian Wild. Its striking colours caught our eye, as did the reflective metal blobs on the surfaces of the poles. You can read more about the sculpture in the sculptor's own words here.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: iPhone

Plastic Pavilion, Forest of Dean

"Plastic Pavilion" is the name of one of the new exhibits that have been added to the Sculpture Trail in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. It is, to quote the official description by the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trust, "an undulating, 16-square metre canopy made of 1,600 recycled plastic bottles. Filled with coloured water, the bottles glisten in the sunlight and sway in the breeze. Inspired by stained glass windows, the multi-coloured mosaic transforms public space into a serene oasis, encouraging people to slow down and enjoy a sensory experience." The artist is Seyi Adelekun, who says of her work: "My installation takes a lot of inspiration from the natural world, so it is an amazing opportunity to be part of this commission. I am so excited to install Plastic Pavilion in the mystical Forest of Dean this summer. I find a lot of solace being in nature, so I hope it provides people with a space for mindfulness underneath the floating cosmic eye."

 photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10

Shovel Bugs

As part of the celebration of thirty five years of the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail several new exhibits have been added to the walk. We came across these "Shovel Bugs" on a slightly damp family trek through the trees. They are the work of Atelier LandArt and are made of re-purposed garden hand trowels. The bright red colour of the fifty metal creatures caught our eye as they scuttled up the tree trunks.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Sony DSC-RX100

Echo sculpture, Forest of Dean

We've never been ones for guided tours or carefully constructed trails: we much prefer to wander where our fancy takes us or the details on a map suggest. Consequently we have never "done" the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail in its entirety, from beginning to end. Instead we have, by chance, experienced a few small sections over the past couple of years. In time we will see it all. We came upon this exhibit the other day unexpectedly. It is a cast of the face of the small quarry in which it sits and which can be seen behind, the work of Annie Cattrell dating from 2008, called "Echo".

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Sculpture trail, Forest of Dean

A number of years ago the Forestry Commission, who manage much of the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, established a "sculpture trail" in the woodland. It is a footpath several miles long that is punctuated by art works. One of the most striking is "Cathedral" by Kevin Atherton. It was erected in 1986 and remarkably, considering how it must be affected by the weather, it still gives pleasure today. In autumn the colours of the piece compete with the natural beauty on show. In winter it glows, jewel-like, against the more sombre colours of that season.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2