Commissioned for Hamworthy Park in Poole, this sculptural bench brings together wildlife ideas from two children’s winning designs in a community art competition.

I made the seat and backrest from two substantial oak slabs, each approximately two inches thick. A fabricated steel leg system supports the timber and holds the bench together. The finished piece was securely fixed to a concrete foundation for use in a public park.

The bench combines carving, pyrography and paint. A sun is relief carved into the oak, with flying ospreys burnt and painted into the scene. Snails from another child’s design were incorporated into the artwork, bringing both ideas together in one bench.

The carved ospreys were originally planned with their wings spread wide. I brought the wings closer to their bodies to make the sculpture safer for people using the bench. Their steel feet are attached with security bolts, forming a strong connection between the birds and the structure.

The project received coverage from BBC News and local newspapers. The photographs below show the bench taking shape and the finished work in its park setting.