After the Rain/ Flood

Dave Stewart – Bowkerstead – 1996

From Grizedale Archive

Material: Wood

Trail: High Bowkerstead Trail

Theme: Modern Life

Form: Representational – Stone Column

Maps Featured on: 1997 – 2005

Status: In situ, very weathered, Dec 2020

“‘After the Rain/Flood’ can be seen as archaeological remains, floating or washed up debris, architectural or manufactured angular forms contrasting with, and also being absorbed by, the surrounding landscape and growing forest. The world
of the late 20th century emerging, imposing and, in turn, being consumed by the landscape.” – Quote from the artist

Positioned up the hill from Blind Lane car park. Made out of wood, but representing a stone column that has been destroyed and washed into its new position by water. There are five pieces of column scattered that form the artwork. (This being said it always reminded me of nuts and bolts). The archive image above was taken when it was new and is how I distinctively remember finding it for the first time, the white pieces standing out amongst the forest floor under the tall pines.

Photograph taken 2002

Soon after the trees were clear felled leaving the sculpture exposed to the elements. You can see the Lakeland fells to the north of Grizedale in the distance above. The pieces are suddenly not so clear amongst the brush growing up in the absence of trees. This brush soon became saplings, completely obscuring the artwork as seen below. It was last listed on the 2003-05 map which would have been around this time.

Photograph taken 2007

Approximately 15 years after first being exposed it is only now once again accessible. Though you can see the years of exposure have taken a toll. No longer bright white, but covered in lichen and moss. Out of the five parts of the artwork, the smaller ones are almost completely rotted, the larger parts are still discernible.

This sculpture, to me really shows the changing nature of the forest and how the sculptures are affected by it. It is the only sculpture I have seen that has gone through the complete cycle of forest operations from full growth to felling towards full growth again.

Photographs taken 2017

Photographs by Mike Kewley. Website Link Here.

The waymarker was a large fish, created and sited in 1997. I believe this went at the same time or prior to the trees being felled.

Page Last Updated Dec 2020