Kristina Veasey, 2023
“Meander was inspired by my conversations with local people, delving into history, and immersing myself in different locations. I quickly fell in love with the uniqueness of this area, the richness of its heritage, the beauty of the landscape, and the warmth and strength of character of the people. My aim for the piece is that people make the most of resting here as part of their experience of immersing themselves in the forest.” Kristina Veasey
Meander is a steam-bent oak bench designed to be a resting place that invites visitors following the trail to stop, observe, and spend time in the beauty of the forest. Its strong, winding form represents the resilience and solidarity found woven through the landscape, heritage, and people of the Forest of Dean.
Veasey joined sculptor and leading steam-bending expert, Charlie Whinney, to collaborate on the fabrication of the piece at Charlie Whinney Studios. The large natural pieces of quarried Forest of Dean sandstone supporting the sculpture have been provided by Birch Hill Quarry. Veasey’s desire to work in harmony with the forest is reflected in her choice of natural materials, with the oak and sandstone reminding of industries within this ancient, working forest.
Kristina Veasey, worked with the Trust previously in 2020, in partnership with Unlimited, on a research and development commission. Meander carries on Veasey’s exploration of access to nature and what immersion in the forest can inspire.
Want help finding Meander on the Trail?
Use the what3words location: letters.wept.fallback
About the Artist
Kristina’s work is playful and provocative. She loves colour, vibrancy and turning things on their head. Through installation, film, crafts, and sculpture Kristina explores the commonalities and differences in everyday experiences.
A visual artist with a socially engaged practice, Kristina brings bold, complex, and sensitive layers to her artworks, cushioning difficult conversations and painful truths within humorous and joyous celebrations. As a disabled woman and activist, intersectionality, identity, and social politics are strong components in her work, and she is often influenced by the barriers she faces. Using art as a force for change, she draws on her background as a social policy graduate, a Paralympian, and equality and diversity consultant, leading her to create work that is easily accessible, engaging wide audiences, and amplifying unheard voices.
Recent works include My Dirty Secret! An Unlimited commissioned, vibrant and interactive installation based on household mess and dirt, shown at the Southbank Centre, Wales Millenium Centre and Galleri Caernarfon, among others. This led to her domestic installation, commissioned by ITV Creates, which was broadcast daily for a week, on national television. In 2022, Kristina’s film interventions and basketweaving performance, A Complete Basketcase were shown at Focal Point Gallery, Southend and formed part of WAIWAV, a nationwide Dada-esque exhibition by 31 disabled artists and arts venues. And as an outcome of her Unlimited R&D Partnership award, Basketcase, her public realm sculpture/furniture.
