At Home in Page's Wood - Installation of the Sculptures

Return to Page’s Wood

Last week Simon traveled down to London to install the sculpture trail in Page’s Wood that we featured in our blog two weeks ago. We can now say that the 12 sculptures are safely in their new home. It’s just in time for the warmer weather and the Easter holidays (free time for exploring outdoors) too! We thought you might like to see the sculptures installed and at home in Page’s Wood….

Owl by Simon O'Rourke at home in Page's Wood — Page’s Wood Tawny Owl

The Journey of a Sculpture

It’s a satisfying feeling to see a sculpture go from a sketch and a proposal, through the process of bringing it shape and life in the timber, to the final stage of seeing it in its new home. Often, once it’s sitting it its ‘right’ environment there seems to be much more life and colour to the piece. This collage shows the original sketch, the frog in the workshop and finally at home in Page’s Wood. What do you think?

Frog by Simon O'Rourke at home in Page's Wood — Page’s Wood Frog by Simon O’Rourke

More Than Just A Sculpture: Our Role As Educators

We believe art will always have purpose for its own sake, but it’s also a privilege for us when our art also serves a greater purpose. In the case of this sculpture trail, it hopefully serves to encourage people (children especially) to finish a walk when it might be more tempting to return to a game of Fortnite (if your kids are anything like some of the ones we know!), or for the grown ups, return to the to-do list of jobs around the house!

The animal sculptures themselves reflect the local population too and help raise awareness of the environment. Then, the stories with each one, help educate the reader about what we can do to help steward and protect that environment. We hope that as people wander these two trails, not only will they enjoy finding and viewing the sculptures, but they will also warm to the characters and feel inspired to take small steps to help protect their beautiful surroundings.

Enjoy the Trail!

We’ll leave you with the full range of sculptures in their woodland setting, in the order of the stories. If you happen to be walking through Page’s Wood why not take a photo with the animals along the trail, and tag us in it. We’d love to see you ‘meeting’ our timber friends, and hear what you thought!