A Beacon of Birds

A Beacon of Birds takes an innovative approach by combining bird ringing data with artistic expression.

Artist, Lucy Stevens has worked with with Men & Women in Sheds (a community group for those that want to take part in wood-work projects funded by Age UK Leicestershire & Rutland) to delve into bird watching and bird ringing, turning their observations into vibrant 3D artworks.

The group took part in art workshops led by Lucy to create sculptures using cardboard, paper pulp, wood off cuts and mod roc to interpret bird ringing data in a creative and accessible way by showcasing the weight, wing span, length and colour palette of birds.

The culmination of this project ended with a grand display—a large-scale mobile art piece, featuring 88 unique sculptures set amidst the trees at Timber Festival, July 2024.

The project also included an art and birdwatching walk led by Lucy and Dr Heather Gilbert from The National Forest and also a member of the Charnwood Forest Ringing Group to share information about the project, discuss bird ringing techniques and to inform visitors about which birds they can expect to see in the forest. A Sound Bath was also commissioned to take place under the mobile, delivered by Katrina from Berry & Bloom. It was an opportunity for visitors to take part in an immersive full-body listening experience that intentionally uses sound to invite gentle yet powerful therapeutic and restorative processes.

Funded by The National Forest.