Another flower art installation in Barnstaple’s town square to mark the work of the women’s refuge in time for Domestic Violence Week
A colourful new addition has appeared on The Square in Barnstaple – it’s an unusual art installation in the form of a double bed, covered in hundreds of beautiful hand painted ceramic flowers. The piece is a live sculpture, entitled ‘Flowerbed’, and made by local artist Sarah Farrell Roberts with the help of just over 50 members of the North Devon community who came to workshops run over the summer to hand paint a flower to demonstrate their support for the wonderful work done by local charity North Devon Against Domestic Abuse who run the only remaining women’s refuge in the County.
Last year Sarah created the White Flower Garden on The Square to mark 40 years of the Women’s Refuge and which comprised 4000 handcrafted white flowers representing the total number of women and children who had passed through the Refuge in its 40 years. Many of the white flowers were made at ceramics workshops run to support the project by Jax Williams at Tarka Pottery. This year’s installation was an opportunity to reuse them, and this time in vivid colours to create ‘Flowerbed’.
The ‘Flowerbed’ will be on display on The Square for the month of November and will be a fitting presence during the annual Petal Launch which takes place at 11am on Monday 21st November on The Square in Barnstaple and supports the international 16 days of action against domestic violence. Supporters of NDADA and members of the public will be joined by the Mayor of Barnstaple to scatter petals in the River Taw in memory of victims of domestic abuse. This year the event is being led by Barnstaple Soroptomists.
Domestic Abuse remains the highest reported crime in North Devon over and above burglary and drug offenses and is responsible for the deaths of 2 women a week nationally. North Devon Against Domestic Abuse provides Refuge and support services for all victims. The ‘Flowerbed’ is a symbol of love and healthy family relationships which is at the core of all of its work. The charity hope to raise funds in appreciation of ‘Flowerbed’ from donations –and invites the public to donate you by text. To make a £2 donation simply text NDAD40 £2 to 70070.
