A good time was had by all at the FREE spoon carving classes we put on at the new sculpture carving yard. Giving the gift of joy & inspiration to those new to wood carving by employing the amazing artist Stephen Stockbridge of Creative Nature ( https://www.creativenature.info ) to lead classes of 10 at a time to learn the basic skills of axe work, handling a carving knife / hook knife & using gouge chisels with a mallet to create a basic bowled spoon in 2.5 hours.
Some of the class attendees loved it sooo much they carried on for the rest of the day & signed up for all the following classes.
Creative arts have been widely proven to be very healing to those afflicted with mental health issues & social isolation, which have been seen to be dramatically on the rise during recent coronamania times, so it’s been a real blessing to be able to provide these classes free of charge to the local community [ Thanks to Lambeth & Southwark Mind, LCF & everybody who contributed to our fundraising. Thankyou all!!! Donations / retweets still welcome here www.gofundme.com/brockwellparkoaktreesculpture ]
The main sculpture is about halfway thru now, a mini staircase of toadstools have appeared for kids to climb up & down, a perch fish , a giant newt , a large frog, a pair of squirrels , signets & 2 swans kissing forming a heart shape and a variety of acorns & oak leaves are all gradually taking shape. The themes of this memorial bench are all taken from the wildlife we see in the local park so this sculptural bench becomes a teaching tool for youngsters to learn about the biodiversity that exists within this wonderful park I spent many happy days of my childhood in.
For 23 days during the hottest days of summer we chainsawed & axed all the outer bark of the trunk off & formed parts of it into bum perching spots so it also functions as a comfortable place to sit & contemplate the beauty of nature. Whilst carving I was a ometimes praying for rain as it’s quite thirsty work in the midsts of midsummer heatwave.
A big thanks to Friends Of Brockwell Park, Lambeth Landscapes - ( especially Tim! ) Pete Logan, Stephen Stockbridge & Elizabeth McMullan ( a local lady who recently got married in the Brockwell Park Community Gardens & set up the crowdfunding page to help the project happen )
This memorial bench / nature sculpture is dedicated to Kieran & Charlie, both brothers to Elizabeth & I that both tragically lost their lives due to mental health issues that were exacerbated by pressures / social exclusion caused by the lockdowns of 2020. Losing them both from our lives , coincidentally within a month of each other , around the time this giant branch fell from the 600 year old majestic oak tree in the park led us to seek solace in creativity by honouring their legacy within this sculpture carving project carved onto thus incredible big piece of oak wood.
We hope this public artwork can bring joy & inspiration to others that maybe suffering & going through difficult times in their own lives.
The overwhelmingly positive reaction to a a similar 30ft oak wood carving / sculptural bench we carved in nearby Ruskin Park in 2020 has been amazing. So we are very grateful to be able to provide another wood carving focal point & place of reflection in Brockwell park.
Here’s a couple of local news pieces featuring the Ruskin Park woodcarving I did in the 2020 lockdown summer:
http://fawnbrakenews.london/2021/01/21/new-lives-for-fallen-branches/
Here’s a map of its location if you happen to be passing- it’s at the BLUE DOT at the rear of the big cafe on the hill just down from the ladies toilets.
I think the next 2 free spoon carving classes are currently full already , but if you’re passing please feel free to pop in & meet the teacher whilst the class is happening ( 11am-1:30pm 28th July & 7th August ) and see what we are up to (-:
Thanks again to everyone that helped this project to happen.
Morganico
23rd July
summer 2021
