Glass Reflects the History That Inspired New House of Invisible Hands Shrine on Farnham Heath

Published on: 28 Mar, 2019
Updated on: 30 Mar, 2019

The House of Invisible Hands

Something new and exciting has been born on Farnham Heath Nature Reserve this Spring and it’s caught the attention of the BBC. “The House of Invisible Hands” is a permanent oak structure with walls of chestnut coppice, created by sculptor Walter Bailey and inspired by the medieval process of local glass-making.

Historically, this involved working within the forest and using the raw materials of the landscape to keep the furnaces glowing. The impurities in the materials created the green of the resulting glass objects.

Walter said: “The House of Invisible Hands is a shrine to those who made forest glass. That was created by peasants, and often children worked long hours stoking the furnaces. This structure represents the many hands who laboured within our local forests all these years ago.”

The hand-carved oak structure blends into the trees at the view-point on Farnham Heath, offering a shelter and rest point for walkers to experience the artwork from outside and within. Walter went on: “It is my hope that when you visit the site, you enter into the tranquility of the landscape.”

The BBC Countryfile team were so taken with the concept of the piece that they wanted to film it being built. They joined Walter and his team of volunteers as they created the structure in a day. Throughout the process, Walter explained the stages to presenter Steve Brown.

Steve Brown from Countryfile (right) interviews Walter Bailey

“It was fantastic for the Countryfile Team to take such an interest in the piece,” Walter added. “It’s a great opportunity to profile the arts within Surrey and also the magnificent landscape of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”

This project is part of Surrey Unearthed, a programme from Surrey Hills Arts, in which artists create pieces inspired by the history and natural materials of the Surrey Hills. You can watch how The House of Invisible Hands was created on BBC’s Countryfile this Sunday, March 31, at 6pm.

The sculpture is on the RSPB Farnham Heath Nature Reserve, and visitors can park at the Rural Life Centre, The Reeds Road, Tilford GU10 2DL.
Surrey Hills Arts is a partnership between Surrey Arts, Surrey County Council and the Surrey Hills AONB. It aims to engage and inspire people in the outstanding natural landscape through an imaginative programme across the arts, promoting heritage, health and tourism.

For further information on the Surrey Hills, please visit www.surreyhills.org

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