Here come the 'Gourds'!

Here are 'The Gourds', there are three in total tightly woven around a steel frame, designed for a very special Nursery, as play structures within the Norman Jackson Centre in Richmond.

They are a development from my root sculptures which reside at RHS Wisley model vegetable garden.

The project in Richmond has drawn form a variety of artists, each bringing something very unique to the table. Work is still in progress at Hampton Hill.

The garden itself designed by Benedict Green at www.greengardendesign was an idea driven by Pheone Cave, this will be an exceptional space once completed and I will revisit to document it in the spring.

Below, The Gourds in the workshop and then on site being installed:

Wisley's glass house echoed in Willow.

Over the summer the education team at Wisley have been developing a 'natural' play area for their younger visitors designed with creative investigative play in mind.
I was asked to contribute to this area so got to work designing and building some play structures that echo their breathtaking glass house.
And here they are from rough sketches to fully installed, foundations dug and fixings tightened.

Thanks to Art Fabrications for their skill and consistent support with the steel works.

Rough sketches.

A willow den.

The willow tunnel.

The twist in the tail!

Some close-knit weave to help withstand the kids attention..

What a Treat! I was invited back to RHS Wisley for another residency throughout spring.
This year I brought together a drift of woven bullrushes, a village of giant pine cone dens and a Huge acorn producing a sapling:

- Week one of the Easter holidays I worked with visitors on site in Seven Acres, weaving the bullrushes and acorn components and with the weather on our side we were able later install these soon after, near the Pagoda which were then framed with a hazel loop border made from some of Wisley's own hazel freshly coppiced on site!

- Week Two of the holidays I worked in the Pinetum, creating pine cone dens which were then installed inbetween some very tall Scotch Pines towards Howards Field.

All the pieces seemed well recieved by Wisley visitors young and old.
It was also great to see some faces from last years residency.

Special thanks to RHS Wisleys education team, logistics onsite : Simon and Andrew, Art Fabrications and everyone who came along and paid such high praise!

RHS Wisley - Fruit, roots and seeds.

This year I got to add my own willow touch to RHS Wisley with this sliced apple, root system, maple seeds, mushrooms and pear tunnel, it was a busy summer!