Oak Pole
Ashford's Millennium Woodland steering group
commissioned an artist earlier in the year to create
a sculpture out of on oak tree which was felled a few years ago to make
way for houses in Singleton. The sculptor, Peter Leadbeater, created a
totem-pole carved with woodland leaves, some of which are inscripted with
thoughts and feelings about the woodland written by members of the local
community. The Group are hoping to commission more local artists to create
sculptures in the Millennium Woodland. Further info
from Lucy Monhemius at Ashford Borough Council 01233 330621.
Award for Stour Valley Arts
Stour Valley Arts at King's Wood, Challock received this
year's Rouse Kent Public Art Award for commissioning artist Rosie
Leventon's earthwork 'Ring'. The artist, inspired by ancient burial mounds
created a 48 metre raised circle in the earth that acts like a dew pond
where the forest deer now come to drink. The 'Ring' reflects the changing
seasons of the wood; in the winter it gets covered in snow, in spring
surrounded by bluebells and in autumn the leaves settle around it. The
'Ring' is an organic piece of work that reflects the surrounding forest
environment. Rosie Leventon was also nominated for her SVA commission of
the 'B52' project. A plane cut out of the landscape, twice the size of an
actual B52 bomber. Its formation in the landscape has allowed sunlight
into the area and so created a glade useful for plants and animals. The
B52 is best appreciated from the air, so Stour Valley Arts arranged for a
local pilot from the Challock Gliders Club and photographer Dylan Woolf to
capture some fantastic aerial pictures of the plane. A range of art works
commissioned by Stour Valley Arts are freely available for the public to
see in King's Wood, Challock, Nr Ashford. Call 01233 740040 for enquiries.
Also available is a range of artists books based on their residencies with
SVA at King's Wood.
