Sculptural Tree
by Beaford Arts and The Topsham School

How many times have you been on a walk in the countryside, and something has caught your eye however it turns out to be a plastic bag or bits of rubbish blowing in the wind, instead of the wildlife or flowers you had expected?

The sculptural tree reflects concerns relating to recycling. It aims to highlight to the children involved in creating the sculpture, and those that see it exhibited, that our waste can actually be turned into other things, and used effectively to sustain our futures. In this case it is a tree inspired by the rural area of Beaford, and the renowned photographer James Ravilious, from his photograph 'Oak tree (after Mondrian)', Marsland, Devon, 1997. It is made from recycled materials such as computer wire, aerial wire, scrap fabric, threads, beads, bottle tops, carrier bags and anything else the children could find, and then re-created to explore shape, structure and pattern.

The success of this project was highlighted in the students' sense of achievement, knowledge, and understanding, with budding artists: Alice Fox aged 8 saying:
"I have learnt that I don't have to throw away rubbish, I can make other things out of it" and Katie Stainer, aged 9 agreeing, "I can make anything out of anything!" both are from The Topsham School.

Beaford Arts, based in North Devon and established by the Dartington Hall Trust in 1966, has a long history of working with students and artists from all over Devon and beyond. The work you see here is a credit to The Topsham School and its 30 Year 4 students and teachers who took part in the recycling workshop during their residential in June; organised and lead by Caroline Preston, Arts Education and Course Development Leader for Beaford Arts. We give thanks to all those who kindly donated un-wanted items for our creativity!

Contact: Caroline Preston, Arts Education and Course Development Leader, Beaford Arts, T 01805 603725, M 07717 818644
E caroline@beaford-arts.org.uk, www.beaford-arts.org.uk