Giant Spider, 2010
4 metres diameter
Recycled steel, wire, crushed cans and bottle tops
The sculpture was originally created for Glastonbury Festival’s Greenfields in June 2010. Fiona constructed the steel skeleton structure in advance, and invited the public to participate in completing the work, shaping the form with wire, and adding recycled crushed cans, lids and bottle tops to the main structure. The aim was to create further awareness and enjoyment of recycling, along with exploring creative skills. Members of the public of all ages contributed to the finished piece. The Spider and an expansive web developed during the 4-day Festival.
Alongside the sculpture construction, Fiona and her team of workshop leaders and artists ran wire workshops. Adults and children participated in 2-hour sessions to create their own ‘waste bugs’ made from colourful wire and recycled components. These were attached to the giant web.
The concept behind the work is a new-age spider, made of steel, wire and recycled waste, which has adapted and grown to enormous dimensions to take on her new role of catching waste, which she feeds on.
Various local companies and individuals offered in-kind help with the project, including Pete Margerum, Ruth Worsley, Jason Nosworthy, Dan Beadleson, JustVans, Capita, Pylle Motor Spares, Luke Allen (Geodize) and John Shepherd Feeders. A large quantity of aluminium drinks cans were also collected by individuals.
The Spider has since toured to various venues in Southern England including the Sustainability Show, Essex, Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Hampshire, Devon Recycled Sculpture Trail, Teignmouth and Stourhead National Trust Estate, Wiltshire. In 2017, Fiona donated the sculpture to Carymoor Environmental Trust, Castle Cary, where it is now a permanent feature at the centre.
© Copyright Fiona Campbell. All rights reserved, 2021