Biteabout Arts

The willow sculptures I created with volunteers for the Peregrini Lindisfarne Landscape Partnership are now all in situ at various locations on the 5 km Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve Nature Trail. Starting at the Window on the Wild with a willow Lapwing you can follow the trail behind the castle towards the coast, then up to the bird hide at the Lough, through the dunes and back down the Straight Lonnen. The willow sculptures include a group of Brent Geese, an Arctic Tern, a creche of Eider Ducks and Ducklings, a group of Swallows, a Short Eared Owl, a Fritillary Butterfly, and a Helleborine Orchid. 

Many thanks to all the enthusiastic and talented volunteers who helped to create them and many thanks also to Andrew Craggs (Senior Manager, Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve) and his team for siting them.

It is 20 months since the completion of my cloak for St Cuthbert. I was invited to the preview of The Treasures of St Cuhtbert Exhibition at Durham Cathedral on Friday and was so excited to see my work on display at last. It is one of four artworks commissioned for the exhibition and they can all be seen up until the end of September, (but possibly longer, that is still to be agreed). The exhibition of the treasures is stunning, and has been worth the wait!

Willow in the Wild Woods by Anna Turnbull

Saturday 1 July - Sunday 27 August

'Discover art in the outdoors. Beautiful rhythmic willow sculptures created by Anna Turnbull hidden throughout the woodland.   

Living in Northumberland, Anna draws on the costal scenery and wildlife around her home for inspiration. In 2008, she started to work with the many varieties of coloured willows grown locally for basketry and the traditional techniques, and started to experiment with the idea of creating willow sculptures. Captivated by the pure organic form, colours and textures of the willows, her passion for creating the unexpected was ignited. 

As visitors walk through the woods they will see a variety of woodland creatures emerging from the trees. A bird swooping upon its prey; a squirrel startled as it scurries up a tree; a pair of red deer engaged in combat.'

Made with the children of this special school in Middlesbrough

Made with the children of South Hylton Primary School, Sunderland, with Ruth Thompson. Metalwork by Farley Forge.

Made with volunteers at Weavers Court, Alnwick with Ruth Thompson