KINGFISHER COURT: SCULPTURAL WORKS
Artist: Andy King
Client: Canada Life Asset Management
Date: Spring 2026
Location: Frenchay, Bristol
Bristol-based artist and furniture maker Andy King has created a series of sculptural works crafted from British-grown wood within the landscape at Kingfisher Court, a new purpose-built student accommodation development in Frenchay, Bristol.
With a strong interest in sustainable materials, Andy champions homegrown timber and works closely with local sawmills throughout his practice. This commission sees him scale up the timber work that sits at the heart of his furniture making, creating an impactful artwork that celebrates the natural beauty and potential of British-grown wood.
Designed specifically for the outdoor setting, the work responds to the architecture and landscape of the site, while considering how the timber will endure, patinate and age gracefully in the elements.
The installation invites students and the wider public to engage with the space while drawing attention to the value of British-grown timber, and the opportunity that improved woodland management presents — both to increase woodland cover across the UK and to grow our own supply of this naturally regenerating material.
The final work takes the form of an urban treescape: a vertical arrangement of hardwood and softwood columns, bringing together oak, sweet chestnut, western red cedar, larch and Douglas fir. To distinguish each species, Andy developed surface patterns drawn from bark rubbings taken from trees across Bristol. These patterns are routed onto each column, evoking the woodland origins of the timber while revealing the distinctive natural textures of each species.
The timber was sourced in collaboration with Woodland Heritage, using beams from sawmills in Whitney, Herefordshire. Woodland Heritage champions the use of home-grown timber from sustainable, productive woodlands for the benefit of present and future generations — a mission closely aligned with Andy’s own values. Steel base plates for the installation were fabricated locally by Bristol-based Rank Engineering.
The invitation to visitors is simple: to walk and sit amongst the trees, study the bark patterns, and leave with a greater appreciation of both the natural beauty of timber and the living woodlands from which it originates.
Follow @kingandwebbon and @GinkgoProjects on Instagram for the latest updates on this commission.
About the artist
Founder of King & Webbon is designer-maker Andy King. Originally from an engineering background, Andy’s passion for woodwork developed as a child while working alongside his dad, a carpenter of over 50 years. This inspired Andy to change career and train as a furniture maker, with a focus on designing and making furniture that is beautifully crafted and environmentally responsible.