Residents may know of Andy Goodwin in his role as a District Councillor, but he is also a local artist who works with willow. A piece created by Andy and his fellow members of the Willow Coppice team has become the first art work for the new Eynsham Art Trail.
Connected kicks off the Trail
The magnificent willow sculpture ‘Connected’ was created by the Willow Coppice team – a group of makers that Andy is a founding member of – in response to concerns about climate change and the announcement of the Botley West Solar Farm project. Residents may have spotted its elegant circles in Market Square, where it sits until a permanent home can be found.
Andy explains of Connected: “The two willow circles represent humankind and the natural world. Each now depends on the other; humankind is destroying nature and in turn nature could destroy humankind. Our futures are intertwined, we must find a balance of equal respect, support and space to live – that is connected.”
The work was commissioned for the Forever Fields exhibition and then donated by Forever Fields to Eynsham, igniting the Parish Council to the idea of creating an Art Trail to celebrate the fantastic local talent within the community. “I’m so proud that Connected will form part of the Art Trail,” said Andy. “I hope it will inspire other artists and makers.”
Finding time for art
Andy was himself inspired by the sense of peace that working with willow brought him when he discovered it three decades ago on a basket-weaving course. “The making process – being focused yet relaxed – is really meditative,” he says. “I was quickly hooked.”
With a job as well as his District Councillor duties, Andy admits that it can be a challenge to find the time for his art. “I've reduced my working hours to help squeeze everything in. When you're determined to find time, you can!”
Willow Coppice formed in early 2020 when Andy met fellow founders Charlotte and Paul just as the pandemic was closing in. “We started planting a lot of willow,” he recalls. “I lost my father at the time and their enthusiasm helped get me going; it was a hard time for a lot of people.”
The team has always placed the environment at the heart of their practice, notably only working with willow they grow themselves. “Early on we agreed on shared aims to grow willow, think about nature, involve the community and create environmentally conscious artwork. We’re always trying to create something of beauty that will hopefully give people a moment of thought and reflection.”
Art Trail ideas
While Connected has already secured a place in the new Art Trail – permanent location as yet undecided – Andy and the Willow Coppice Team are considering new ideas for another piece that they might be able to contribute.
“I've several ideas relating to Connected, some of which will need help from friends and the community, so anyone interested in getting involved should contact Willow Coppice via willowcoppice@gmail.com,” Andy says. More details on the group and their work are available on the website: https://www.willowcoppice.co.uk/
Local artists and makers or community groups are also welcome to submit an independent application for an artwork as part of the Art Trail project. Get your creative juices flowing! All the details and the application form are available on the Art Trail webpage: eynsham-pc.gov.uk/ArtTrail. The deadline for applications is 4 April.