You can help create an art trail along the Parkland Walk
The Friends of the Parkland Walk are working with local artist and Muswell Hill resident Ben Wilson to create a trail of miniature artworks along the Parkland Walk. Each tiny artwork will be individually designed to reflect the character and history of the area to create an exciting feature for people to spot as they explore the Walk. We hope that these gem-like images will be especially fun for families and children to discover.
Any donation – no matter how large or small – will make a huge difference in supporting the project.
We are amazed by the generosity of all our fantastic contributors and are hugely grateful for their support for the art trail project and Ben’s inspirational work. As our crowd-funding drive nears its target of £1,500, we’d like to make it clear that any excess raised will be used to fund Ben to maintain the artworks (cleaning and repair) and replace them if necessary. This hopefully means the entire community can enjoy discovering Ben’s ‘recycled art’ for many years to come.
Locally inspired
His ideas triggered by their setting, many of Ben’s artworks feature brightly coloured animals and plant life, or reflect the history of the old railway line. Ben has already completed six artworks along the northern part of the Walk in Muswell Hill and is now working his way from Highgate to Finsbury Park. Sharp-eyed users of the Walk may have already noticed some of Ben's pieces in discreet locations along the side of the path.
What makes Ben's work so special?
Having worked as a sculptor and artist for more than 16 years, travelling all over the UK, Europe and the US, Ben focuses on taking rubbish and waste and turning it into something beautiful.
Ben is perhaps most famous for his ‘chewing gum art’ – taking trodden-in pieces of chewing gum and turning them into miniature artworks. These intricately detailed pieces encourage people to look more closely at their natural environment. Featuring bright splashes of colour, often in unexpected places, the pieces transform an unpleasant discarded item into something positive and beautiful.
Ben is driven by a desire to make art accessible – and fun - for everyone. With more than 17 artworks planned along the full length of the Parkland Walk, you can help create an exciting new feature to engage the attention of the users of our fantastic nature reserve.