Innovative land sculpture trail arrives at historic Coventry arboretum this Remembrance weekend
A historic Coventry arboretum is hosting a sculpture trail this November inspired by the venue’s landscape.
Paxton’s Arboretum in London Road Cemetery, which has been restored by Historic Coventry Trust in partnership with Coventry City Council, is welcoming visitors from November 8-11 as the arboretum’s hills, shrubs and trees serve as inspiration for sculptures by four acclaimed artists.
Land based artists Julia Brooklyn, James Brunt, Caroline Hayes and Richard Shilling will begin creating their sculptures in response to the arboretum’s landscape on Wednesday, November 8.
James Brunt from South Yorkshire will be a face familiar to London Road Cemetery visitors, having previously crafted in the grounds, his work playfully explores the simple gift of the natural world.
The sculpture created by Lancashire-based artist Julia Brooklyn will explore the theme of reconciliation, with themes in her work including the relationship between wellbeing and nature.
Yorkshire-based Caroline Hayes focuses on her passion for sustainable and natural craft as a tool for repurposing the unloved and forgotten, whilst the work of Richard Shilling from Lancashire often explores ideas arounds cycles and geometry in the natural world.
London Road Cemetery was created in 1845 and designed by architect Joseph Paxton, and is an excellent example of the garden cemetery movement, with graves of many prominent Coventrians.
Following a restoration project led by Historic Coventry Trust, the cemetery and arboretum offers residents and visitors to the city a green space for peace, calm and contemplation.
As part of their Art in the Arboretum showcase, visitors will be able to watch and support the artists as they work with the cemetery’s diverse array of natural materials.
The artists will then be hosting a guided walking tour of their artworks around the grounds on Saturday, November 11, discussing their sculptures, creative process, and journey as artists.
Visitors can also enjoy guided tours around the cemetery between 10am and 3pm.
The tours are led by the Historic Coventry Trust research team and learn about the people buried in the cemetery who fought in the First and Second World Wars.
The land sculptures are being crafted as part of Coventry Peace Festival, which promotes the city’s unique history as a place of peace and reconciliation, and the sculptures will remain, weather permitting, at the arboretum throughout Remembrance weekend.
The arboretum’s Anglican Chapel will serve as a hub for the weekend events and The Coventry Family History Society will also be at the cemetery on Saturday to assist visitors with locate the graves of their loved ones.
A photography exhibition will also display images created by students on a recent photography workshop by Iva Dyke.
features a photography exhibition collaborated by Iva Dyke from a recent workshop.
Sarah Allen, Education and Engagement Manager at Historic Coventry Trust, said: “Paxton’s Arboretum in London Road Cemetery is a beautiful and poignant space for reflection and calm in Coventry.
“The grounds showcase a wonderful array of plants, trees and shrubs, and we are delighted to be hosting such a talented group of land-based artists as they respond to our landscape alongside the community.
“The series of events on Saturday, November 11 offers a poignant opportunity as we commemorate Remembrance Day, and visitors to enjoy an autumnal walk through the grounds and connect with the landscape through sculpture.”
To find more about the event and to book tickets for the guided walking tour, visit: https://www.historiccoventrytrust.org.uk/whats-on/art-in-the-arboretum/
