Environment Agency Commission

Environment Agency Commission
I have been commissioned by the Environment agency to create a piece or pieces of sculptural work to show at their headquarters in Sutton Coldfield. They would like a piece to be made with the plastics that are collected from the three large lakes, which were historically used to filter the heavy metals and chemicals which built up in the waters in the 1980’s. The waters are now much less polluted by chemicals and dredging is no longer required.
The lakes are now a wildlife haven, especially for waterfowl during the winter months, but fish could not move freely through the system due to a screen, which acts as a huge filter to remove large pieces of rubbish. The removal of this screen is ongoing and once completed should increase the habitats available for many other animals along the watercourse.
The river Tame passes through the lakes and collects water from Birmingham, Walsall, Sutton and the surrounding areas, this river was once considered the most polluted river in the country, with wildlife being unable to cope with the conditions. The river Tame was not always in this condition with reports of it being fished in the past and providing the Trout for the coronation feast of Queen Victoria.
The pollution that is affecting both the lakes and the river today is the huge amount of plastics that wash along the water course and empty onto the lake and riverside at high water. in preparation for this commission, I am researching the history and area around the lakes and the river Tame which I will then use to inform my practice.
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