Local MP Sadiq Khan will open the exhibition
Furzedown will soon be home to a series of up to 12 sculptures and marks the first wood sculpture trail to open in Wandsworth. Carved from a huge American red oak that was felled within the community last year by artists working with the local community, the sculptures will soon be emerging across the Furzedown area of Wandsworth, in churches, schools, open spaces, housing estates and shopping areas.
Sadiq Khan, local Labour MP, will open an exhibition at Sprout Arts, Furzedown’s local art space on Moyser Road, on May 9 at 6.00 pm.
The show, running from May 7-17th, will explore the oak’s journey from fallen local landmark to outstanding local art. There will be designs and installations based on the sculptures to be created and a timeline made from the rings on a slice of the trunk. There will also be almost daily accompanying workshops run by the artists involved.
“It is very exciting to think that soon Furzedown will see the oak tree come back to life in new and surprising forms and shapes in a way that the whole community can enjoy for a long time to come,” said Fio Adamson, Chair of the Furzedown Community Oak project and local artist, who will be using one of the pieces of oak to sculpt a memorial to mark the centenary of the start of World War One.
Other delights to come include a silhouette of the original tree itself, laser-cut in its own wood, to be displayed on a prominent wall within the community and a piece of sculpture made from the crown of the tree on the roundabout entering Furzedown.
“I see the roundabout installation as being rather like our own Angel of the North, but even if it doesn’t quite create the same interest as Gormley’s work, it will certainly put Furzedown on the map as regards London’s artistic landmarks,” said Candida Jones, Secretary of the, Furzedown Community Oak project.
Sadiq Khan Labour MP for Tooting, said; “It has been great to see local residents come together to rescue this local landmark. The final result is a wonderful example of what our community can achieve when we come together, and why Furzedown is such a special place to live. Everyone involved in this project should be very proud of what they have achieved and I’m looking forward to launching the exhibition of the oak’s journey.”
May 7, 2014