Words by Mary Irvine & Artwork by Anne Marshall
I have often praised the high standard of talent prevalent in my locale but on a recent walk around Balloch Country Park I was put in mind of one more.
Not an unsung hero by any means but, perhaps one unknown to many who admire his work I’m speaking, of course, of the wooden sculptures that proliferate throughout the park.
These imposing sculptures are the work of Vale arborist Patrick Muir, who won the Provost Civic Award for Arts and Culture in 2017.
Patrick weaves stories around his sculptures for his children and I have previously seen very complicated wood carvings by him, such as his dragon Galianth.
But this time it was the simplicity that struck me.
The pineapple, the church, the house outline.
I loved the cottage, a bit more complicated but still simple.
On the same walk I observed two things.
The first was not the beauty of nature that inspires great work but the simplicity of nature.
I found nature’s own answer to the local talent – the multi-trunked tree sculptured naturally.
Enjoying the isolation of the park, the solitude only broken by the variety of birdsong I observed a second miracle.
The sign of new life, of the regeneration of nature.
Man may not appreciate what he has, selfishly misusing and abusing it.
Maybe he will eventually come to his senses, giving nature the chance to rescue the planet.
In the meantime, we have the beauty of the sculptures.
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