Sculpture for pollinators landed on Mendip

‘Pollinator Sanctuary‘

A sculpture highlighting the importance of bees and other pollinating species has landed at Deer Leap Reserve on the south-facing grasslands of the Mendip Hills AONB.

When Somerset Art Works (SAW) issued a sanctuary-themed call for commissioned art at this year’s biannual Art Weeks Festival, sculptor Kelly M O’Brien embraced the opportunity to bring an idea inspired by empathy for nature to life.

O’Brien’s project, Pollinator Sanctuary, landed her the commission to create an outdoor sculpture accompanied by several public events including an Open Day on 25th September.

“With this project,” O’Brien reflects, “my aim is to offer shelter and refuge for wild pollinators – both honey and solitary bees. Sanctuary means a source of help, relief, or comfort in troubled times. Nature needs our help and this project is about facilitating that conversation while offering tangible sanctuary in the wild.”

These themes started percolating for O’Brien during the 2019-2020 pandemic when she turned to nature for solace. She came to terms around the impact of traditional sculpture materials on climate change and decided to transform her practice to become more sustainable. This led her to work with mycelium (fungi roots) for sculpture and the main material for her SAW commission.

O’Brien says: “This project collaborates with nature, including living mycelium, wild pollinators, and plant life. It’s about interconnectedness, hope, and innovative approaches to care and repair for our natural world.”

Her background research for the project revealed a connection between mushrooms and bee health: “Certain fungi extracts can protect bees from viruses leading to Colony Collapse Disorder,” she explains. “The SAW commission is my first attempt at combining these ideas. This outdoor sculpture will be a shelter made with fungi using cast mycelium for the hive and solitary bee housing.”

When asked what she envisions next for this project, O’Brien replies: “I’d love to dot the landscape, public gardens, sculpture trails, and community settings with different versions of Pollinator Sanctuary. I’m working out how it all comes together with this first version and could see it evolve into an empowering community project that invites people to build and care for their own.

I’m grateful to SAW and the Mendip Hills AONB Service for support to develop this project, including an Open Day with DIY making workshops, nature walks & talks, a pollinator meadow parade, and more!”

This year is the 50th Anniversary of the Mendip Hills designation as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The temporary art installation is in line with the Mendip Hills AONB Service’s aim to reach a wider and more diverse audience and promote nature recovery through new and engaging activities, such as art in the landscape.

Pollinator Sanctuary opens 24th September to 9th October 2022 during the Somerset Art Weeks Festival.

with 24/7 access at Deer Leap Reserve, Priddy, Wells BA5 1EL.
(w3w//bandaged.basin.toolbar or map coordinates 51.24053N, 2.69043W)

A free Open Day will be held at the site on Sunday 25th September at 12-4pm. To book on to the event and for more information, click here…

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