Orchard Spirits by Sylvia Schroer was unveiled by Luke Charters, MP for York Outer, on Friday, October 31, at an event hosted by The Friends of Fulford Community Orchard.
Sylvia Schroer and Luke Charters at the sculpture’s unveiling (Image: Supplied)
The artist said the sculpture “draws inspiration” from the orchard’s past as it is situated in the former grounds of York Asylum, a large mental hospital that stood on the site now occupied by York Designer Outlet.
Sylvia said she connected with Judith Nicolson of the Fishergate and Fulford Historical Association, who had extensively researched the history of the asylum and orchard to create a dedicated archive.
The sculpture was placed to look down an avenue of pear trees in the orchard (Image: Supplied)
The artist said: “This meeting inspired the development of two busts, male and female, in memory of the asylum’s former patients.
“The paired figures, which are decorated using plants and foliage from the orchard embedded into clay, represent enduring spirits, symbolising the presence of those who once lived on the land.
“I wanted the sculptures to invite reflection, to honour the lives of the people who were here before, and to remind us how essential nature and community are for mental wellbeing, both then and now.”
After the unveiling of the sculpture placed to look down an avenue of pear trees, visitors were invited to join a guided walk through the orchard to learn about its heritage trees, wildflower meadow, and plans for future development as a green space, a source of unsprayed fruit for the community.
A children’s ghost hunt was organised as part of the celebrations.
A children’s ghost hunt was organised as part of the unveiling of the sculpture. (Image: Supplied)
Sylvia said she hoped the sculpture will help raise awareness of the orchard’s history and attract more volunteers to help maintain it.
St Nicks, a York conservation charity and green corridor manager, and Friends of Fulford Community Orchard organise regular workdays on site.