The tree stump was no longer alive and becoming unstable
‘Whispering Sweet Nothings’ will be left in its current position in Pearson Park(Image: Hull City Council)
A sculpture carved from a tree in Pearson Park has been chopped down by council workers as an emergency safety precaution. The tree was found to be at risk of toppling onto a footpath.
Named ‘Whispering Sweet Nothings’, the artwork was created by local artist Julian Barnard during Hull’s year as UK City of Culture in 2017, and was carved from the remaining stump of a tree that had been partially felled around ten years ago.
Speaking at the time, Mr Barnard said he saw the dying chestnut tree in Pearson Park and thought, “Now there is a challenge.” He offered to transform it into a unique sculpture and said the City of Culture had given him “extra motivation”.
The retired arts and technology teacher created an intriguing design topped with two huge human faces, with faces of a lion and a toad further down the stump. Mr Barnard said it was only the second tree he had transformed, and he’d had a “huge amount of interest from passers by” watching him work.
But nearly a decade later, the artwork was decaying and at risk of toppling over. Hull City Council said the sculpture will be left in place to rot naturally, becoming a “wildlife haven”.
Mysterious faces are carved into the wood(Image: Bob Carter)
A spokesperson for the council said: “Following the most recent inspection on Friday 10 January, it was revealed that the stump had significantly deteriorated and was unstable, posing a safety risk.
“Due to its location – near a well-used-footpath and road – its emergency removal was essential to protect the safety of those visiting the popular west Hull park.
“In agreement with the Pearson Park Trust, the council has safely removed the remaining upright section of the stump and laid the sculpture horizontally on the ground, next to its original location.
The sculpture was a project for Hull’s year as UK City of Culture in 2017(Image: Hull City Council)
“The sculpture will remain in the park, where it will be allowed to decay naturally. In its new position, it will provide a valuable habitat for wildlife while still offering visitors the chance to enjoy this much‑loved artwork.”
Councillor Charles Quinn, cabinet portfolio holder for environment, said: “The Hull 2017 tree sculpture has become a much-loved feature of Pearson Park, representing our city’s creativity and culture.
“While safety must always come first, we want to ensure that its legacy continues. By laying the sculpture on the ground, we’re ensuring it continues to have a lasting legacy as it naturally transforms into a wildlife haven.
“This way, visitors can continue to enjoy the sculpture, remembering the spirit of Hull 2017, and what it meant for our city.”