The Sanctum of the One-Eyed Toad (& other Spirit Animals of Walsall) - in collaboration with Grace Emily Manning as part of Earthbound, The New Art Gallery Walsall
The Sanctum of the One-Eyed Toad was developed during a long-term residency at The New Art Gallery Walsall during which artist Chris Poolman explored natural building techniques to create a series of specially commissioned sculptures. The central sculptural work is inspired by the earthwork architecture of Britzer Garten, Berlin,which houses a clay village created by children and their families and 1970s adventure playground projects in Birmingham by former playworker Dave Swingle. Working with the Tuesday Women’s Group from Caldmore Community Garden (Mud Club),clay relief panels were co-produced, celebrating animals,both real and mythical, that have particular significancefor individuals and groups from the local community.
Grace Emily Manning created two large scale fabric banners / temple cloths (dyed with locally sourced buddleia) that hang alongside The Sanctum of the One-Eyed Toad and a further banner for the Gallery’s street-facing Window Box.
The title and subject of the sculpture refers to a short story in Walsall Archives about a one-eyed toad in Darlaston. The structure is largely made from locally sourced wood and cob (a combination of sand, clay,straw and water) but also involves a wide range of other natural and reclaimed materials, from bullrush fluff and artichoke heads to bottles and wattle and daub that reference the vernacular of the natural building movement. To build the toad, the artist utilised a ‘palletable cobin’ technique whereby wooden pallets are used to create the internal skeleton of cob structures. The sculptural form is decorated with panels celebrating other spirit animals of Walsall, both real and mythical, that have a particular resonance with local people, places and folklore. Further clay animals associated with Walsall’s history surround the giant toad, including a donkey made with hair from local Akos Turkish Barbers. These ancient creatures act as spiritual guardians of the toad, creating a temple-like atmosphere honouring the plentiful gifts of the Earth.
