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The Bee and the Butterfly

Melanie Mosaics (2024)

"The Bee and the Butterfly" is a new public art piece created by local artist Melanie Mosaics, commissioned with Section 106 funding from Milton Keynes Council for the Education Centre at Howe Park Wood. The mosaic celebrates pollinators like bees and butterflies, highlighting their crucial role in biodiversity. Inspired by the flora and fauna of Howe Park Wood, Melanie depicts a bumblebee on an ox-eye daisy and a marbled white butterfly on red clover. The piece emphasizes the need to protect pollinators and wildflowers, which are in decline. Now on display, it invites visitors to appreciate and support local wildlife.

This piece of artwork can be found on the outside of the Education Centre at Howe Park Wood. What3Words location mashing.info.confining.

The beautiful flowers in the scene are found at Howe Park Wood during May and June, with buttercups showing first, then ox eye daisies, red clover and kidney vetch which is depicted on the bottom right. grasses are seen among the flowers, including red fescue. Pollinators and wildflowers are in rapid decline. Letting native plants grow is vital for the survival of our pollinators. Please let an area in your garden grow and let our native wildflowers thrive. I hope everyone enjoys the mosaic!

Melanie Mosaics
Public art in the parks

Discover the pieces of public art which we care for across Milton Keynes' parks and green spaces.

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a metal sphere best descripted as flat metal lines combined creating a not full formed sphere

Armillary Sphere

Armillary Sphere (1995) Created by Justin Tunley, located in the Labyrinth at Campbell Park.
Wooden sculpture with stool in Campbell Park in Milton Keynes

Cave

Cave (2011) Concrete and wood sculpture by Ivan and Heather Morison.
a large stone with a person carved into it

War Veteran

War Veteran (2015) Life-sized sculpture by Ronald Rae, carved from granite and installed in Campbell Park.
this is a large rectangular stone of which a skeleton of an animal has been created as well as a person

Animals in War

Animals in War (1998) Granite sculpture by Ronald Rae, honouring animals that died in wars.
The image shows a tall, abstract metal sculpture with a deep reddish hue, prominently displayed in a landscaped area. The sculpture features two elongated, interconnected loops designed to look like people. The area surrounding the sculpture is fenced off with a black metal railing, and the ground is covered with low-lying greenery and small flowers. In the background, there are tall, leafy trees under a clear blue sky, creating a peaceful and well-maintained park-like setting.

Chain Reaction

Chain Reaction (1992) Iconic public art piece by Rae Smith, symbolizing interconnectedness.
an almost square rock with a swan and person carved into it

Leda and the Swan

Leda and the swan (1992) Granite sculpture by Ronald Rae, inspired by Greek mythology.
this piece of art started of as twigs intertwined to create a den like structure however as time as passed is as grown leaves to create a large bush like appearance with vibrant leaves

Circle Dance

Circle Dance (1997) Living sculpture by Clare Wilks, crafted from willow trees by the canal.

Frog Band

Frog Band (2013) Created by Emmanuel Changunda and Obediar Madziva at Howe Park Wood.

a large metal head made of metal, it is a copper colour as you walk around the piece the head becomes almost 3D as a second head is slotted through the middle of the first

Head

Head (1990) Corten steel sculpture by Allen Jones, creating a 3D illusion of a human head.
this stone structure has 3 varying vertical rectangular poles however between the 2nd a 3rd pole a large stone ball has been merged into the gap between the poles

Gnomon

Gnomon (1994) Slate and bronze sculpture by Peter Bowker, referencing Milton Keynes’ ley-line.
A tall wooden totem pole with carved and painted human figures stands upright in a grassy area surrounded by lush green trees. The totem pole is prominently positioned with a clear blue sky in the background

Onwards and Upwards

Onwards and Upwards (2010) Sweet chestnut sculpture by Robert Koenig, symbolizing growth.
Campbell Park Light Pyramid and Beacon

Light Pyramid

Light Pyramid (2012) White steel beacon by Liliane Lijn, replacing an original damaged by lightning.
A black wooden sculpture resembling two branching structures stands amidst dense greenery and tall grass in a wooded area. The sculpture is surrounded by trees and foliage, blending into the natural environment.

Support

Support (2019) Black-painted oak sculpture by Alec Finlay, commemorating Mike Stanley.
Shell fossil in stone sculpture

The Fossils

The Fossils (2021) 3 fossils carved into 3 freshly-hewn boulders by Louis Francis
A grassy area featuring distinct white leaf printed stones, creating a striking contrast against the green landscape.

Lime Leaf Stepping Stones

Lime Leaf Stepping Stones (2021) Stone stepping stones shaped like lime leaves, carved by Louis Francis.
This image shows several large, rust-colored metal horseshoes standing upright on a grassy field. The horseshoes are partially buried in the ground and vary in size. The background is filled with dense green trees and foliage.

The Horseshoes

The Horseshoe (2021) Metal sculptures by Arcangel, celebrating canal heritage.
The image shows wooden carved seed pods arranged against a backdrop of grass and a tree. The seed pods vary in size and have intricate details, rough surface pairs with the natural outdoor setting of the tree and grass. The earthy tones of the wood blend harmoniously with the green surroundings.

The Seed Pods

The Seedpods (2021) Redwood sculptures by Ian Freemantle nestled in the parks wildflower meadow
A wooden sculpture of a snake is placed on a grassy area, surrounded by dense, green foliage in the background.

The Snake

The Snake (2021) Redwood sculptures by Ian Freemantle at Great Linford Manor Park.
This image shows a silver metal sculpture in the shape of a large, intricate leaf. The leaf is standing upright on a patch of grass, with lush green bushes and trees in the background.

The Lime Leaf Chair

The Lime Leaf Chair (2021) Sculpture by Arcangel, inspired by Linford Lime trees.
lifelike wooden sheep sculptures are positioned among green grass and trees in an outdoor park setting.

The Sheep

The Sheep (2021) Lifelike wooden sheep carved by Luke Chapman.
Howe Park Wood Media
Howe Park Wood

Howe Park is an ancient woodland which boasts a rich variety of wildlife and great facilities for families. Pop by the cafe and grab yourself a coffee before a stroll in the woods.

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