Last Saturday, I visited Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic gardens, with a friend. It was a hot day and we sought to keep cool in the shade of trees. The helpful man at the ticket desk suggested that we visit the viewing platform which has been erected while the restoration of the house is taking place, and also the sculpture trail in Pearceland’s Wood. Both were excellent recommendations. The view from up high over the gardens was glorious. And the whole building had been covered in a stunning artwork by Catherine Nelson - it is the UK’s largest outdoor art installation. It was created from thousands of photos taken by the Australian artist. (All pictures here taken by me.)
The route that we took to Pearcelands Woods was along the Rock Walk and past beautiful beech and yew trees growing on the rocks, with their roots hugging and curling around the rocks as they dropped to the ground. It always amazes me how so much big trees grow on top of rocks - testament to their perseverance and resilience and ingenuity. Apparently this part of the High Weald dates back 140 million years.
And then to Pearcelands Woods, greeted by what my friend said looked like a ‘giant corn dolly’. We were enchanted by the woodland creatures that popped up along the path and the arches woven from the hazel already growing there. The day after visiting, I received Ruby Taylor’s newsletter in my inbox, explaining how she had worked with the hazel to create a hazel holloway. She writes:
I’m interested in the relationship to place, to the community of plants and animals already there. How to work with minimal impact, to create with my own hands something of simple beauty that’s harmonious, celebratory, in relationship. Not imposing, but contributing, sharing the sense of what I perceive there.
You can read Ruby’s full blog here on how she created this work.
In her blog, she also mentions about the hazel dormice who live in the woods. They are one of the subjects of a sculpture as well. I didn’t realise that they lived in trees. Their numbers have declined 51% in the UK since 2020, due to woodland habitat loss and management and a warming climate.
Seeing the sculptures of the woodland creatures reminded me how they are such a large part of the stories we tell, especially children’s stories - but how many children will actually see a dormouse, a badger, a woodpecker or a deer? We need to preserve and grow our woods not just for the trees, but as homes for these animals.
A few days later, I hear on the news that dormice have been reintroduced into woodland in Derbyshire. I hope that they becoming a thriving community and their spread continues across the country.
Wakehurst doesn’t provide information on the individual artists and who made which piece, but you can view a full list of their names here.
Yes I will do that! You’re in Lewes, yes? Nice choice. A lot of affection for that town. I lived in brighton for a long time in the 90s & spent considerable time in Lewes.
Love this Olivia!
Must go to Wakehurst soon next time I’m in Sussex. Your feed here is excellent and I really enjoy following your journey
All strength to you 🙏🏾
/Steve