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What is the Roots tree-carving project ?
Babergh District Council’s Arts and Community Development Officer and Gainsborough’s House worked in partnership on a community project with young people to create a tree sculpture in Belle Vue Park, Sudbury.
The purpose of the project was to engage young people in community arts activities enabling them to see their ideas come to life in permanent sculptures. The young people involved gained new skills in carving both in workshops and on site with the tree themselves.
The project aims to celebrate Belle Vue Park and Sudbury by creating a lasting sculpture that, it is hoped, will be enjoyed by local school children, visitors to the area and all the local residents.
Artist Jeff Higley worked with young people from Sudbury and Great Cornard Upper Schools and Suffolk Youth and Connexions Service to create ideas and designs for the tree. Find out more about artist Jeff Higley at www.jeffspace.org
Which Tree was used for the project and why?
The Horse Chestnut tree is situated in the Ingrams Well end of Belle Vue Park in the walled garden area. The tree was identified for removal by the Horticulture section. Following their successful use of a dead tree in Alexandra Road for the sculpture of the production of silk they reduced the tree in such a way that they could be used for a sculpture.
What tools did Jeff use?
Jeff used axes, adzes a mallet and gouge to create the carvings. Many of the tools are hand forged and are of very ancient design - Viking and Medieval woodworkers would have no difficulty in joining in if they were around!
What do the designs look like?
The park and Sudbury area inspired the final designs, which will depict recreational activities for example skateboarding, and swimming, images of the river Stour and of the earliest map of Sudbury. For more detailed information about what tree looks like click on the Descriptionofdesign document (PDF, 15kb).
Who funded the project?
Local groups who helped to fund the project include, The Community Energy Project, Sudbury Town Council, Sudbury in Bloom, The Sudbury Society and Waitrose. The project is also being supported by Arts Council England, East; Babergh District Council, the crime and disorder reduction partnership and Gainsborough’s House.
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