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Tree Tumblers
Commissioned by Cambridge City Council, April 2002
Working with Peter Leadbeater

Four acrobatic figures balance and entwine with each other supporting the top figure who is blissfully unaware of the concentrated effort of those below as he flings his arms wide open. The figures follow the natural twist in the 6m upright oak tree.
The tree is situated on the main walkway towards Cherry Hinton Hall, which can be clearly seen from the children’s play area.
No external protection has been given to prolong the life of the tree.

Octocentenary Tree
Commissioned by the Grafton Centre in Cambridge, March 2001

The Octocentenary Tree celebrates the 800 year history of Cambridge. I recycled discarded tree bark to build the tree, which I felt represented something organic, which would have survived 800 years. This was a community based project so I worked closely with members of the public and schools to enable me to achieve the overall synergy between my organic tree and the interpretation of their verbal and visual contributions.

The three diseased trees were due to be cut down when I approached the Council and agreed to undertake the work. After observing the use of the park over a period of time Peter and I worked together to transform the tree 5m beech trees into a picnic scene. The trees were connected with metal object clues to the Picnic scene. The large man held a tray with giant cups on, the young boy had a metal ruck sack on his back and the elegant lady held a picnic basket. I welded these objects using recycled steel

It was a conscious decision not to protect the trees as the continued deterioration was part of the process of the ever changing environment in which they would continue to exist. I have taken photos regularly and find it interesting to see how the ivy grows rampantly over two of the figures in particular. The Council cut the ivy back periodically.