My contribution to the Penn Wood project has been to create a ‘Room in the Woods’. This has been done using all natural biodegradable materials, in keeping with the ethos of the Woodland Trust of only using natural biodegradable materials for any artwork produced as part of the project. The piece was constructed using 6 split hazel hurdle panels which, on one side had been ‘plastered' with earth and glue and then lime washed to produce a surface which could then be drawn into and painted. The panels were erected in a circular shape in a slightly hidden position from the main track. Each panel was then drawn into with trees being the subject matter and then painted with egg tempera paints, please see the slide show below, which shows the imagery inside and the structure from the outside. My aim was to have a structure, which from the outside looked like natural woody material and blended with the landscape but inside was a complete surprise to viewers – a bit like  when cave paintings are stumbled upon unexpectantly.

I also set up an  interactive aspect for visitors to the wood, whereby I  left some small pots of paint and coloured pens in the ‘Room’, together with luggage tag style pieces of paper threaded onto string and instructions for visitors to make leaf prints and write their comments, which could then be hung in the roof of the structure. This was particularly successful as the photographs show. Judging by comments left in the ‘Room’, visitors felt it was a special place for them to visit on their walks. Children are regular visitors and seem to love the place.

 

 

 

Art in Penn Woods Project

  © Patricia Lynch 2007 - All rights reserved