Place To Be – Public Willow Sculpture

Community, Nature and Contemporary Public Art

Place To Be is a large-scale public art project created in 2025 for Parndon Wood Nature Reserve, Harlow.

Developed in collaboration with Essex County Council, the project invited local residents to co-create three willow sculptures, blending environmental installation, social practice and contemporary sculpture.
This commission demonstrated how public art can boost civic pride, wellbeing and cultural identity, while also creating a meaningful connection between people, place and the natural environment.

Place To Be was born from a desire to bring people together through making and to strengthen the connection between community and nature in Harlow. Willow weaving has deep roots in the heritage of Essex, where basket-making and craft traditions have long connected people to the land. By drawing on this history, the project reimagined an ancient practice for a contemporary context, inviting residents to connect with a raw material with long standing use and heritage. The sculptures serve as a place of reflection, presence, and calm within Parndon Wood Nature Reserve, encouraging visitors to slow down, connect with their surroundings, and rediscover a sense of presence. By combining environmental art, sculpture and social practice, Place To Be highlights the power of creativity to nurture wellbeing and uphold pride within our cultural landscape.

“Hi Eloise, we had a lovely time. Therapeutic for our souls. It looks amazing. Cannot wait for your next project.” –

The project placed participation at its heart. Local residents of all ages, families and groups such as Integration Support were invited to contribute to the making process through hands-on open workshops, where they tried out an accessible weaving technique. This inclusive approach encouraged collaboration, dialogue and shared ownership of the finished sculptures.

Delivered on time and within budget, the project was realised with support from Essex County Council and in close dialogue with site managers to ensure sensitivity to the woodland environment.