what is field stories?

Field Stories is an art work by artists Charli Clark and Sylvia Rimat, consisting of three sculptural benches and audio works. The benches are made from designs co-created by local children, inspired by butterfly species local to Lockleaze. On each bench is a QR code where you can experience an audio journey through Lockleaze’s nature history, and hear members of our community talk about their personal wildlife stories. All you need is your smartphone to access the audio work and a pair of headphones, so you can experience the full sound design!

How can I see the work?

The benches are at Gainsborough Square, Thornycroft Close, and the back of Lockleaze Sports Centre. The ‘Field Stories’ audio works are best to be experienced on site, as they have been tailored to the green spaces where the benches are located. You are invited to take a seat, watch the wildlife and observe the bench carvings whilst listening to the audio experience. However, you can access the audio works online via this link.

Field Stories Guided Walk

The Field Stories Guided Walk takes you on a ~2km circular walk encompassing all three benches. Click here to download a pdf of our Field Stories Guided Walk, or find the images at the bottom of this page. You can also collect a printed copy from the Hub, Gainsborough Square.

How was the project created?

Field Stories was co-created in workshops with yr 7 students at Trinity Academy, yr3 students at Stoke Park Primary, and children at the Vench, as well as through interviewing older people at local coffee groups and an art club.

All children and young people were asked to share their personal wildlife stories of Lockleaze, and what they would do to make Lockleaze a greener and more sustainable neighbourhood if they had special superpowers. They were then audio recorded. Older residents were asked about their first memories of Lockleaze and any green spaces and wildlife they remembered from back then.

The primary school children created brimstone, small blue and orange-tip butterflies out of recycled materials after studying the wing colours and markings of those butterflies. They also learned about the food plants and other plants that are necessary for their survival.

The young people at Trinity Academy designed abstract patterns through studying the wing markings of the same butterflies as well as the plants they need to survive, and then made models of how the benches could look. Three of the patterns were selected to be engraved on the three celebration poles as part of the benches, representing one of the types of butterfly. The young people also told us which locations they would recommend for the benches to be placed.

why Butterflies?

In Lockleaze, populations of brimstone, small blue and orange-tip butterflies are being strengthened by creating and supporting new habitats through the Really Wild Lockleaze project.

The small blue butterfly has been spotted at the railway line, but doesn’t yet have a population in Stoke Park. The small blue butterfly caterpillar only eats one plant, kidney vetch, which is known as its food plant. Through planting this in strategic locations such as Lockleaze Sports Centre, we hope to support the small blue butterfly to increase the size and stability of its habitat. We have also planted alder buckthorn to support the brimstone butterfly.

Residents have also created lots of wildflower meadow patches across Lockleaze, incorporating these vital species- so Lockleaze could very soon be a butterfly capital! Get in touch if you’d like to get involved with monitoring local butterflies.

Field Stories Guided Walk pngs

Field Stories was co-created with year seven students at Trinity Academy, year three students at Stoke Park Primary, with children at the Vench and through interviewing older people of Lockleaze. Many thanks to the Vench, the schools and everyone who took part. To read the final report, click here.

Artists: Charli Clark https://www.charliclark.co.uk/ and Sylvia Rimat https://sylviarimat.com/

Sound design/ composition: Sam Halmarack

Commissioned by Really Wild Lockleaze, part of Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust. Supported by the National Lottery Community Fund, Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership and Avon Wildlife Trust.