At The Forest's Edge

A celebration of nature and communities in Stratford-upon-Avon

At The Forest’s Edge was a co-created community engagement project by artists Miriam Nabarro and Gemma Kerr in partnership with six Stratford-upon-Avon groups.

Artists and communities worked together to create six willow sculptures on a trail that celebrated nature, human relationships, and their stories.

Over the summer of 2023, the sculptures around town were animated with the creative input of participants with the addition of poems, soundscapes and wildflowers.

On Saturday 17 June, we invited the town to join us in celebrating the project and the communities that created it, with a festival of performances, live music and activities.

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At The Forest’s Edge was an RSC creative placemaking project which drew inspiration from the plays Hamnet, based on Maggie O'Farrell's best-selling novel, and As You Like It by William Shakespeare which performed on our stages in Summer 2023.

Meet the communities

Discover the community groups who took part in the project, and how they shared their stories through creative workshops. The six community groups were from across Stratford-upon-Avon, working with people with a variety of interests from sport to local history.

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Meet the artists

Find out about the artists who co-created this project with our communities. Working with practitioners from across the region and UK, our community groups were inspired by musicians, artists, creative gardeners, choreographers, directors, puppeteers and more.

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Making the Sculptures

Inspired by natural organic forms that occur in forests and woodland, Miriam Nabarro and Alison Duddle began by closely observing seedpods, tree boughs and roots and drawing interesting and dynamic natural forms with the community groups in chalk and charcoal. 

Photo by Miriam Nabarro © RSC Browse and license our images

These forms were simplified in the studio and developed into wire, clay and paper maquettes, small to-scale, models.

Photo by Miriam Nabarro © RSC Browse and license our images

Five out of six of the sculptures have strong metal armatures that were created by the RSC Metal Workshops. This gave them a skeleton to 'weave' the willow into.

Photo by Miriam Nabarro © RSC Browse and license our images

 Brittany Green and Dickie Meadows willow was used alongside locally grown willow from Warwickshire Willow.

Photo by Alison Duddle © RSC Browse and license our images

Rod by rod, the sculptures were built up by creating a base layer and then a 'skin' of tightly woven willow that followed the ‘form’ of the sculpture giving energy and movement. 

Photo by Miriam Nabarro © RSC Browse and license our images

Each sculpture took several days to weave and many hands helped over the weeks: local children, RSC artists and community members from our six Stratford-upon-Avon groups. 

Photo by Lucy Barriball © RSC Browse and license our images

During the process artist, Julia Miranda, illustrated the sessions, creating 'visual minutes' to capture each stage of the project.

Artwork by Julia Miranda © @juliamirandart Browse and license our images

Bud is inspired by a seedpod, representing new life and opportunities, themes which the group of young people from New Meaning has been exploring through poetry with Kurly McGeachie.

Photo by Sara Beaumont © RSC Browse and license our images

Roots is a playground of twisted forms and shelters, inspired by the ancient tree roots of the forest that was once here. 

Photo by Sara Beaumont © RSC Browse and license our images

Reflecting the dualities within the play Hamnet, Twin Pods are natural seedpod-like structures evoking the bond of twins Hamnet and Judith. They speak of separation and connection whilst paying homage to the double heritage of Copernicana members and their lives across Poland and Britain.

Photo by Lucy Barriball © RSC Browse and license our images

Scatter has been woven above a commemorative bench to provide a playful shelter to rest in and connect with the present moment. This installation was created with and for members of the group Sporting Memories, who meet here weekly to overcome social isolation through games, conversation, and a shared love of sports.

Photo by Lucy Barriball © RSC Browse and license our images

The hanging nests at Clopton Canal were made by Clopton Connect and artist Lisa Franlkin. They feature fabric from Hamnet woven in, as well as words from their poem 'I Come From'.

Photo by Lucy Barriball © RSC Browse and license our images

This large, curvy bower is made of willow and edible plants. It forms a welcoming entrance to Fred Winter Centre, a community hub which provides a range of services to help people improve their health and wellbeing.

Photo by Lucy Barriball © RSC Browse and license our images
Launch Gallery

 

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