Luke with wood carver Ali

Sculpture 4 weeks after install. 1000 coins hammered in!

Sculpture 4 weeks after install. 1000 coins hammered in!

Luke Jerram - New Beginnings sculpture

Seeds of Change is a series of sculptures in the form of giant seeds, to be slowly transformed by members of the public making a wish and hammering in a coin. Some sculptures will be temporary, whilst others, will be permanent, creating a slowly changing landmark in the landscape, a destination and focus for public discussion.

The first sculpture titled New Beginnings was installed in the grounds of Ashton Court in Bristol from Spring 2022 to Summer 2023. Over 4000 coins were hammered into the sculpture throughout its life.

Similar to throwing a coin into a well or fountain, the idea of hammering a coin into a tree to make a wish is a phenomenon which has existed since the 1700’s. As a method to create good luck or good fortune, some people used to also believe that if a sick person pressed a coin into a tree, their illness would go away. Investigating notions of hope, aspiration, superstition, and belief, Luke’s coin studded sculpture gradually became an intricate and complex work of public art.

Luke said “I love idea of a seed: as a capsule of information and an object of potential that contains everything inside, a plant needs to grow. I hope the public enjoy interacting with this new sculpture and it acts as a capsule for their hopes, dreams and imagination!”

Completed in March 2022 and made in collaboration with craftsman Alistair Park the sculpture was made with support from Artspace Ashton Court, We are from Dust and Artspace Lifespace.

Removal July 2023

The artwork has now been removed from Ashton Court and recycled.  Over 4000 coins had been hammered in including some from Europe, Jamaica, Turkey, Hong Kong and Africa. Many of the coins were retrieved from the sculpture with over £40 worth donated to Bristol Children’s Hospice. Whilst dismantling the artwork we found all sorts of other items which had been embedded into the artwork including: good luck charms, a small watch, a key, earings and several buttons!

Press Coverage
Bristol247
Bristol Post