At the Brilliant Bamboo Brownfield Parklet, we’re developing a collection of artworks made from bamboo, other natural materials or those that re-use/cycle or are site responsive.
Artworks currently at the Brilliant Bamboo Brownfield Parklet:
Bamboo Eye: Staring at the surface of the moon realising I’m made of water
by Alice McCabe
Design developed as one of three Bamboo Eye designs for the Brilliant Bamboo Brownfield site, inspired by aesthetics of Japanese Garden Design and the simplicity and symbolism of the eye shape.
The chosen design was selected following an excursion to cut bamboo from an overgrown grove in Wiltshire. Also, as the Bamboo Eye design features water and the site seeks to improve biodiversity, committing to this design added to other initiatives to enrich wildlife and ecology onsite, providing both a water source for existing wildlife and new aquatic habitats.
The design features a two-tier circular water feature with gravel and stone boundaries, partially encased by a split-bamboo framework. In the centre of the eye, a raised firepit represents the pupil, with the surrounding circular trench becoming the iris, and two lowered gravelled points at either end, the whites of the eye. The water feature can be accessed by wildlife through gaps between short bamboo posts marking the edge of the design and the potential points for adding eyelashes.
The eyelash structures and small bound bamboo ladders (which enable the movement of aquatic insects and creatures into and out of the water) were made with the Madeley school students. Some white rocks which frame the eye have also been cyanotyped by students with artist Natasha Mchugh.
Image from the making session with Madeley High School by Through a Lens Photography.
Breaking Point
By Alisha Miller
A curvaceous, layered sculpture expressing the physical and emotional experience of mid-life womanhood, using split bamboo to explore inner and outer strength.
Split bamboo strands reveal strength, vulnerability, and beauty — all held in delicate balance.
Originally with a stand, Breaking Point now moves around the space in conversation with evolving on-site developments and elements until its final breaking point.
Image by Kings Trust young people.
Brilliant Bamboo letters
by Phil Eddolls
Phil is an artist and designer, working with bamboo for Brilliant Bamboo. He created our bespoke bamboo letters for the site.
Image by Through a Lens Photography.
Inverted
by Spencer Jenkins
This work was created as an Imagine Bamboo project in Nuneaton and Bedworth. Following a trip to Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, the work was generously brought and installed, until it comes to the end of its life.
About Inverted:
A towering bamboo and steel structure visualising height, balance, and circular design. Every component can be reused, making it a true statement of sustainability.
Image by Through a Lens Photography.
Look Up Stoke
by Letting in the Light
As part of Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s High Street Accelerator Fund project, 10 colourful, nature-inspired banners were created with local people and installed on lampposts around Stoke Town.
People photographed plants, wildlife and green spaces around Stoke and used these images to create bold designs through a series of community workshops. Working with groups including Wonder Women and the No. 72 Advisory Group at B-Arts, sessions took place at Spode Museum, Stoke Minster, B-Arts, the Art Stop and Plot 33 at Richmond Street allotments.
Using Letting in the Light’s accessible creative process, photographs were traced, enlarged, and transformed with wax-resist and dye-painting techniques.
The finished designs celebrate Stoke’s nature and wildlife while adding colour and interest to the town centre and the bamboo parklet.
Others can be found on lamp-posts Church St, Stoke Library and Kingsways near to the Spode Rose Garden.
Image by Through a Lens Photography.
Mudlarked Mosaic
by Olivia Azzopardi and community mudlarkers.
Over two days in Feb and March, 20 people mudlarked at the site to choose some of the thousands of pottery sherds found at the site, to co-create a mosaic together.
Unveiled on 14 March 2026. Currently not on display.
Image by Nat Willatt.
Playscape Stepping Stones
by Sarah Fraser
Donated by British Ceramics Biennial and set by Sarah Fraser.
Created as part of the Playscape with Sarah Fraser and Tuckey Design Studio for the British Ceramics Biennial 2025, were relocated in spring 2026 to form part of the Brownfield Parklet.
Image by Through a Lens Photography.
Starry Bamboo
A kinetic sculpture by Dan Jaworski-Higgs.
Created as part of our BAM Holiday Sunday in May 2026. Working with bamboo (full and split), string, recycled rubber inner tube, tape and ribbon, Dan has created a starry kinetic and mobile-like sculpture for the Brownfield Parklet.
Image to follow.
The Scroll
By Anthony Hammond with community members.
Working with coppiced willow from the site, and donated bamboo-grasses and willow. Anthony Hammond has led the creation of a scrolling deadhedge. The creation of the deadhedge has been at events, and with volunteers and visitors to the site.
It is an active place deadhedge, and will become habitat for non-humans at the site whilst creating sculpture in the space.
Anthony says: “The Scroll was designed with its curvaceous, bay like shap to allows visitors to gather within the artworks reclaimed green space. For quiet contemplation or communal socialising. All surrounded by a bug woven hug.”
Work-in-progress image by Anthony Hammond.
Triangle, Circle, Square
By Faith Bebbington with NSCG College students.
Sculptor Faith Bebbington worked with 42 students over three hours to develop an evolving sculpture using triangles, circles and squares with bamboo, and fly-tipped toys found at the site.
Faith has continued to work on some of the structure during a recent visit.
An updated photo to follow. In progress photo by Through a Lens Photography.
Wormery Mural
By Olivia Azzopardi
Olivia Azzopardi was commissioned to transform a pallet from our site into an artwork and home for our worms, and wormery at site. This 4-sided mural contains worms, speech bubbles, bamboo and other leaves.
Image by Olivia Azzopardi.