Habitable Sculptures
Will Nash is fascinated by the science of the natural world. His first Habitable Sculpture was inspired by a tour of Warnham Nature Reserve. Understanding that many of the seemingly dumped items, had been deliberately placed in particular spots to encourage specific species to move in, led him to think that adding habitats into his sculpture would increase their overall value to the environment. This way of thinking started to influence the direction and form of the work.
A Habitable Sculpture will perform a number of functions; it can enhance the landscape, embody ideas, emphasise local identity, attract people to a place, educate, entertain, inform. These sculptures draw our attention to the natural world and its need for support, the intention is to engage, inspire and encourage visitors to take their own positive actions.
“This approach is holistic, thinking about humans as part of a bigger ecology”
Testimonials
“Working with Will Nash has proved an incredible and enjoyable experience from start to finish for Guildford Borough Council. Beyond his obvious highly artistic ability, his relentless and reassuring creativity in solving practical problems and meticulous research on swifts has exceeded all expectations. The resulting swift tower not only looks amazing but has everything needed to provide a fantastic home for swifts. This includes installing solar powered audio to attract the birds to the tower, use of materials and numbering accessible nest boxes so we can monitor them in future. I would have no hesitation in working with Will again or recommending him to the other councils and organisations developing their own swift towers and art projects.”
Tom Childs, Guildford Borough Council SANGS Officer and project
manager on the Shalford Swift Tower
“Will has created a fantastic piece of public art and I am delighted that we are able to help this fascinating species by protecting long established parts of their habitat. The tower is an impressive feat of engineering and I am sure will also become a local landmark as well as being of significant regional importance to our wildlife. I look forward to seeing the tower become a thriving hub for an increasing local swift population.”
Cllr James Steel, Lead Councillor for the Environment
“We are delighted to have been part of this project and to see it come to fruition providing a haven for the swifts who are such an important part of the character of the village. We are grateful to all the parties involved for the hard work in completing the tower during these very constrained times.”
Cllr Alan Midgley, Chairman of Shalford Parish Council
