Publication Date: 05-12-2024 09:00
Artist who will create public art at Bellway development in Maidstone leads workshop at Bicknor Wood
Members of Bicknor Wood Residents’ Community Group learned the ancient skill of making ink, brushes and pens from foraged woodland items at a workshop led by artist Walter Bailey.
Walter, a sculptor, has been commissioned by homebuilder Bellway to create two bespoke benches for its new Bellway at Rosewood development on the outskirts of Maidstone, less than a mile from Bicknor Wood.
Bellway is planning to plant oak trees at the development and the two benches will be made from a similar variety of oak to those being planted there.
The workshop, held within the wood, was arranged to support the public art commission and involved members of the residents’ group learning to create oak gall ink.
Carolyn Webb, Bellway Thames Gateway Sales Manager, said: “The workshop at Bicknor Wood was the perfect way to support our public art commission for Bellway at Rosewood.
“It was an opportunity for local people to meet the artist who will create beautiful sculptural, yet functional pieces for the development. Walter is very much inspired by natural materials and the living world and uses wood as his primary material.
“So, it was very fitting that members of the Bicknor Wood Residents’ Community Group, who are the custodians of Bicknor Wood, should have the chance take part in this fascinating workshop.”
The process of making oak gall ink begins with foraging oak galls, which are small spheres that grow on oak trees after the gall wasp lays eggs in its new shoots. During the workshop Walter showed the group members how to turn the oak gall into a black, inerasable ink.
He also shared some of the history of the ink which, because it is permanent, was traditionally used in official records and contracts.
The members of the community group also created pens and brushes from foraged branches and plants and used them with the ink to draw and write on paper.
Bellway committed to commissioning a piece of public art as part of its planning agreement for Bellway at Rosewood.
Louise Francis, founding director at public art consultancy FrancisKnight, which arranged the workshop on behalf of Bellway, said: ‘We selected Walter Bailey to create art works that have a quiet earthy power related to place and biodiversity.
Walter Bailey, sculptor said: “My deepest wish is that my public sculptures, created for landscapes both urban and rural, are and will be food for dreamers, encouraging and stimulating others’ adventures in creativity.”
To find out more about Walter Bailey and his work, visit https://francisknight.co.uk.
There are two, three, four, and five-bedroom homes being built at Bellway at Rosewood. To find out more, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/thames-gateway/bellway-at-rosewood or call the sales team on 01622 534925.
