Watch the making of Cribbs Canopy by Denman+Gould
Go behind the scenes with Denman and Gould in their studio in Haydon, Dorset, a converted chapel nestled beneath Scots Pines and Oak trees.
These videos show the key phases of creating their largest sculpture to date: a habitat-supporting sculpture called Cribbs Canopy.
The design takes inspiration from the eaves of buildings and natural nesting forms, blending architectural and organic elements to offer essential shelter and nesting spaces for birds such as swifts, starlings, house martins, and smaller garden birds.
Denman+Gould is a creative collaboration between artists Eleanor Goulding and Russell Denman. They are passionate about making, accessibility, connection to the natural world, the outside and sustainability.
Phase One
Russell is shaping English oak dowels that will serve as the core components of the nest-inspired piece. English oak adds a distinctive organic and natural character to the sculpture. Each dowel is carefully hand-cut and fitted into steel flitches.
The design draws from the natural geometry of nest forms, with each triangular segment eventually forming part of a central ‘nest’ structure. Once each piece is crafted, they are sent one by one to our metal fabricator, who will weld them together during the next phase of the build.
Phase Two
Russell is making hand-cut Cedar Shingles panels that will become shelter and nesting spaces for birds and wildlife.
The design draws from the eaves of buildings and the natural geometry of nest forms, with each triangular segment forms part of a central ‘nest’ structure. Once each piece is crafted, they are sent to be assembled onto a central nesting sculpture."
Phases three and four will be shared soon!
Follow @GinkgoProjects and @_DenmanGould on Instagram so you don’t miss it.
Cribbs Canopy is a site-specific multi-installation project for a recently constructed area of sustainable urban drainage space at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol.
Commissioned by Ginkgo Projects for Baylis Estates Limited.