Rubbish sculpture to tour the district
1 July 2024
We are working with local artists to create a sculpture made entirely from rubbish and recycled materials to promote an anti-litter message.
The sculpture aims to promote litter responsibility and a sense of pride and is called 'The Anthropogenic Nest' to signify the effects humans have. The work is part of our 'Look Out For Our Forest' (LOFOF) project to reduce littering in the district.
Local artists Stephanie James and Vanessa Collingridge, from SPUDworks, have shown (25 June 2024) the artwork's progress to representatives from NFDC and Litter Pickers of the New Forest and Stephanie explained what the sculpture aims to do:
"The idea behind the nest is really that it represents home. So it's meant to be protective, it's meant to be nurturing. And the idea was that the Forest is our home, it's all the animals, all the wildlife it's their home too and actually we need to look after it. We don't want to litter our own home so we shouldn't be littering anyone else's home."
"The nest is called an anthropogenic nest, it's effects that are caused by humans. And that is the whole purpose of the piece, to spark that intrigue. What does home mean to us, and what does anthropogenic mean. Getting people to look at it but also examine their own behaviours, how do they consider home, how do they treat their home and getting people to almost think twice about what they do with their litter, and what choices they make."
"Though the sculpture will degrade, the litter will remain for long after and there will be a further message about litter responsibility with that."
The local community are also getting involved by collecting materials to be used for the sculpture. The willow frame construction is being layered with crisp packets and bottle tops, all after being painstakingly disinfected."
When complete, the piece will first be on display at this year's New Forest Show at our stand, and then tour other public places across the district.
You can read more about our litter projects on our website.
Share this page
