Damaged Artwork Restored To Its Original Beauty

Published on: 8 Sep, 2017
Updated on: 12 Sep, 2017

Perspectives – the artwork on Winterfold Hill. The pod-like shelter has views over the South Downs.

A vandalised artwork on Winterfold Hill near Farley Green has been restored to its former glory.

The newly installed, pod like structure, covered in hundreds of wooden tiles, many of which are inscribed with people’s personal messages and words, had been defaced with graffiti. Some had even been removed from the structure entirely.

Some of the graffiti found on the artwork.

Local walker, Sue Cordery came across the damaged artwork and notified Surrey Hills, the independent charity promoting the positive enjoyment and care of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

She said: “As a regular visitor to the artwork, I was so saddened to see the abuse of this most outstanding sculptured seat. ‘Perspectives’ is a unique and fascinating sculpture.

“It certainly encourages conversation regarding the whole structure and provides a peaceful and comfortable setting to sit and contemplate many aspects of everyday life and beyond, especially in relation to the inscriptions on the tiles.

“I always feel uplifted and inspired after each visit and the view is definitely something to behold.”

“…definitely something to behold”. Pictured on top of the artwork is Ali Clarke, the Surrey Hills Arts Programme Manager who is helping to repair the sculpture.

To repair the damage and restore the artwork a team of volunteers went out last week to clean off the graffiti and replace the damaged wooden tiles.

Ali Clarke, Surrey Hills Arts Programme Manager said: Perspectives has been a particularly popular artwork. It is loved by local people as well as drawing visitors from London and beyond.

A visitor’s message sent in and printed on one of the shingles.

“It is wonderful that people are helping to look after it, clean off the graffiti, and maintain its beauty. It is one of five artworks installed along the Greensand Way in the Surrey Hills as part of the “Inspiring Views” project.

The artwork can be found at the top of Winterfold Hill in The Hurtwood. Created by Giles Miller and his team, the pod-like shelter looks out across the South Downs and cocoons you from the elements with unique wooden shingles. Engraved on the shingle are messages and words from the local community, all inspired by the view.

Giles Miller added: “This is a beautifully secretive part of the world and I wanted to capture that.

“I hope that its visitors will live with and love this new installation for years to come”.

“The artwork still has many blank wooden tiles and we would welcome new words and phrases inspired by the location, the view or even the artwork to inscribe on the remaining tiles. Phrases

“Phrases should be no longer than 25 words and can be emailed to: surreyhillsarts@surreycc.gov.uk ”

Surrey Hills Arts is a partnership between Surrey Arts, Surrey County Council and the Surrey Hills. It aims to engage and inspire people with the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and its unique natural, cultural and industrial heritage through the arts.

More information on Surrey Hills Arts and the Inspiring Views project can be found at: http://www.surreyhillsarts.org.