Mum had an early appointment in the fracture clinic to assess progress on her broken arm. The appointment ran smoothly but as I suspected she needs to keep the plaster cast on for another couple of weeks. The doctor, a charming young man sat down next to mum when she was disappointed that the plaster cast had to stay for a little longer. On the plus side he told us that the fracture was healing nicely.
The hassle-free appointment allowed Mr C and I to venture into Birmingham to find a board game shop, Wayland’s Forge that we haven’t visited for years. It has moved location since our previous visit and is now located in the Zellig building, part of the Custard Factory.
We had lunch in the city centre before making our way to Digbeth where Wayland’s Forge is located.
Near to the location it wasn’t obvious where we needed to be and were thankful when a gentleman asked us what we were looking for. He gave us perfect directions and informed us that he was the maintenance man for the building.
Just inside the building we encountered a strange sculpture which I later found was titled ‘The deluge’.
The board game shop was well stocked, the owner was friendly and welcoming and after much deliberation I chose to buy an expansion (Pantheon) to 7 Wonders Duel, a two-player game that Mr C and I enjoy playing together.
On leaving the building Mr C noticed another sculpture, the figure looked Godly but I later found out that the sculpture is entitled ‘The Green Man’. Both sculptures are by Toin Adams.
We headed out of the city, the long way round for afternoon refreshments in Boundary Mill. It was a bonus that I found the perfect shoulder pouch to house my phone, keys, sun glasses and money when I am volunteering at Attingham Park. I feel so uncomfortable stowing these items in my coat pockets and if the weather ever warms up there will be no coat pockets.
Later we enjoyed ‘Fine Dining’ at Chez Nous.
Do we know what the Deluge sculpture of falling people next to a custard factory represents?
Toin Adams is the sculptor. The following video explains the inspiration behind all her artworks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuTrB_s7d_s
Some interesting sculptures there, Cherie. I like the depiction of the Green Man with his greenery pouch
It is a different take on the fig leaf for modesty
Good to hear your mum’s fracture is healing even if she does have to wear plaster for a bit longer. Those sculptures are amazing!
The sculptures were a surprise find. I love them.
We tried the boardgame today and thoroughly enjoyed it
I think it is a good thing that mum has her plaster for another two weeks. It means she is forced to take care of her arm.
this is relief that your mum’s arm is healing smoothly dear Cheri !
hope the plaster will help it to heal faster and safer .
Birmingham sounds wonderful city of the UK .i feel i am familiar to this name since i was little . the statues you shared are so intriguing and amazing wow !
i found the food so yummy
I think it is a good thing that her plaster is still on. It means she will have to take care of her arm.
The sculptures were fascinating. I looked up the artist later I think you will enjoy the video of how her sculptures come to be:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuTrB_s7d_s
I’m back! Had such a wonderful time in Malaysia, Singapore and Australia.
Oh I remember this place in Birmingham.
I would like to do a canal boat holiday in and around Birmingham.
Done a simple one, with just one canal lock, in Wales.
I am glad you had a wonderful time. I look forward to seeing photos of your visit
Probably for the best, your mum is still in a cast, as you said – better safe than sorry, right?
As for the sculptures, I appreciate the craftsmanship – and yet I’m a little scared of them? lol
I was glad that they left mum’s cast on. When she had the cast put on there was talk of putting it in a splint after four weeks. I am sure she would have taken it off if they had done this.
I found them weird and didn’t understand them. If you have time have a look at the link I left in my comment to Shabana. The artist talks about her sculptures and where they come from.
Hmm, I just watched a bit of it. No history to it, just compelled to create an image. She’s clearly talented, but very dark, creepy stuff. I get the same feeling viewing her stuff that I do looking at a Carvaggio.
And the Green Man has been a recent subject of horror movies! Neither good nor bad, he can be both, he’s the protector of the environment.
Maybe I’m old school, but I’m not sure dark stuff belongs outside on public display, rather than a museum, where you’re prepared and have paid to see it. I’m not saying we should ban or forbid it, I’m just saying perhaps there should be a choice; otherwise, it’s like a sudden assault on your senses.
You’re walking along merrily down the street, happy as you please, then you look up and out of nowhere, “Oh, there are people falling from the sky!?!” or “There’s a scary looking dude with a box of greenery growing in places it shouldn’t be.”
I mean, I get it that perhaps that’s the point, to evoke certain emotions, but how do you explain it to children? It’s creepy, the stuff of nightmares.
I’m sure they’re very proud of a local artist, but I’m equally sure we’re not alone in preferring not to see it unless we wanted to.
It is interesting to know that the green man symbolism features in many churches and cathedrals. Although the ones I have seen are not scary in the way that Lincolnshire Imp carving doesn’t appear scary. These features are blended in with all the other church carvings.
Oh, that IS interesting, I didn’t know the Green Man appeared in cathedral carvings, since the early church was so anti-pagan, right? But then so are Christmas trees, I guess
Of course, we have nothing like that here. No carvings at all unless they’re Georgian/Federal-era, which aren’t the same. Not here in Kentucky, though. You can have a church in a strip mall, with window stickers that say “Baptism special, $9.99.”
Okay, okay, that last part isn’t true, but the churches in strip malls are
There are many theories as to why they appear in churches. This is an interesting video I hope you can access the link:
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20190104-the-surprising-roots-of-the-mysterious-green-man
This article explains in more detail:
https://devonchurchland.co.uk/blog/the-green-man-in-medieval-england/