The Phoenix Trail
Launched in spring 2002 The Phoenix Trail comprises a series of 30 artworks sited over 5 miles between Thame and Princes Risborough. It was inspired by the old railway environment and the landscape looking out to the Chiltern Hills. Lead artist Angus Ross (see 'Winged Seat, left), together with six furniture students from Rycotewood College in Thame made sculptures and distinctive resting places using mainly green oak, locally sourced from the Chilterns.
Lucy Casson was commissioned to make three copper characters on poles (see right). Lucy also ran educational projects at John Hampden and Princes Risborough schools. The project was an overwhelming success in many respects, reflected in the fact that it succeeded in winning the 2002 'Arts, Business & Community' Award from Arts & Business. The project was a partnership between Sustrans, Rycotewood College, The Arts Council, Ercol Furniture Ltd, the Transnational Woodlands Industries Group, Arts & Business and Wycombe and South Oxfordshire District Councils.
Signal Seats by Angus Ross
Reflecting the trail's previous use as a railway line these articulated seats take their inspiration from the semaphore signals used for train control. Pivoting the seat down lowers the bright red vane and signals in all directions that it's in use.
Three characters on poles by Lucy Casson
Comments by members of public: "inquisitive creatures interested in me and welcoming"The piece has "charm, wit and humour" and is "quirky", "cheeky" and "funny".
Rycotewood College Students work
Marker Posts by Patrick O'Riordan
"These marker posts appear every half mile along the trail. The idea for a series of posts developed from observations of light at different times of the day, and at varying times of the year. Represented is the transition of the day into twilight; it's subtle displacement of the day's end; the encroachment of the night. Each post represents the mean twilight of each month."
Man Made Forest by Leigh Roberts
Trees are huge aged living organisms that are felled to become a man made material. Once felled they become ours to do with as we please. In making this work Leigh was struck by the idea of removing the tree from it's natural habitat and using it's remains to form a deliberately placed 'forest' - a stark, skeletal, ready made sculpture.
Viewpoint Seat by Ryo Makio
Ryo has taken the steam locomotive wheel as his inspiration for this former railway station. The design also derives from the depiction of 'viewpoints' as marked on maps. He has made a space for picnics, or as somewhere just to sit and relax.
Curved Bench by Steve Elderkin
Steve's robust modular bench is made from green oak with concrete buttresses. The flowing, wavy design was inspired by the brick arch road bridges at either end of the site. His intention is that the bench be enjoyed by all, especially children.
Three tier seating by Patrick O'Riordan
Patrick's seating is designed on three tiers to accommodate all those who use the path. Based loosely on railway bridge construction, the design alludes to the corner stone of an arch. The artists intention is to provide a 'pit stop' and meeting point - a place to grab ten minutes of rest.
Reflective Space by Leigh Roberts
This is a quiet place to rest. Quiet enough to allow for contemplation and thought, and to enjoy the beauty of the countryside. The straight flat Phoenix Trail is, at times, confined by vegetation. At other times it is open to distant views. This piece gives the passer by the sense of being able to step into a giant picture frame to enjoy one such open landscape.
Shiplap Shelter by Rory Lobban
Rory's weather-tight shelter has been constructed using the shiplap building technique. The shape is derived from the curves of the Windsor chair. His intention is to provide a place of comfort in all weathers for those travelling this open and exposed section of the trail.
Simplicity Bench by Yumiko Aoyagi
Yumiko set her own brief to make interlocking benches that are both 'simple and practical'. Her functional design can be used comfortably by groups of people of all ages and sizes. Her intention to make a work of simplicity is "so that it does not interrupt the surrounding landscape, which is calm and gentle".
How we use cookies