Renowned land artist James Brunt returns to Knowsley this week for a series of hands-on workshops and a brand-new collaborative artwork in Halewood celebrating the beauty of Knowsley’s natural spaces in a project that has been funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund.
James first captured the imagination of local communities in 2022, when Knowsley celebrated its year as the Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture. As part of that programme, he led United By Land, a project that saw him create artworks using natural, found materials across schools, parks and green spaces throughout the borough.
United by Land culminated in the creation of the Halewood Mandala, a large-scale temporary painted installation at Halewood Park Triangle in the summer of 2022.
During the first half of the week, James will deliver interactive workshops in local schools, encouraging young people to explore their creativity using natural materials such as leaves, stones and twigs, with support to encourage them to see their surroundings in new and creative ways.
On Thursday 18 and Friday 19 June, the project moves to Halewood Park Triangle, where James will begin constructing a new, large-scale land art installation using materials sourced directly from the site. The piece will be designed to exist temporarily within the landscape and evolve naturally over time.
School children who have participated in the workshops, alongside local community groups, will join James on these days to help bring the final artwork to life. This shared creation process not only celebrates creativity but also strengthens community connections and a sense of ownership over local green spaces.
There is also the opportunity for local residents to take part in completing the artwork and see it completed. The public can attend an open session on:
Friday 19 June
1pm – 3pm
Halewood Triangle Park Environment Centre, Okell Drive, Halewood, L26 7XB
Visitors will be directed from the environment centre to the outdoor installation site, where they can participate in completing the installation, see the finished piece and meet those involved in its creation.
Cllr Graham Morgan, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said: “This project reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible cultural experiences that engage residents of all ages. By combining art, education and the natural environment, James Brunt’s return to Knowsley offers a meaningful opportunity for local people to reconnect with nature and with each other.”
