Artist returns from inspiring Grand Canyon trip

Deborah Bird, who creates intricate paper frameworks, freezes them in water and then photographs them, was given the opportunity to spend a month at the Grand Canyon National Park by the National Park Service of America.

Deborah spent much of her time hiking and exploring the landscape in order to capture photographs which would become the inspiration for her ice sculptures.

She then created the one-of-a-kind sculptures exploring the natural features of erosion, pattern and form in the Grand Canyon.

She said: “The changing rock formations were fascinating in their colours, textures and minute detail.”

Once Deborah had made a sculpture she would photograph it over a series of hours often allowing it to thaw until it collapsed completely to capture the changes in light.

She said: “For me the sunset light captured many of the beautiful warm colours that you see in the canyon, while the canyon in the moonlight took on an extra magical quality.”

During her trip Deborah also took part in a educational project which involved Asfordby Captains Close Primary School and the local school in the Grand Canyon.

Thirty-one pupils from Asfordby made a collage as a gift for the Grand Canyon pupils, which was accompanied by a slideshow featuring their voices describing their lives and environment in a small village in England.

In return the local children made their own collages describing their environment.

The collages were hung at the Grand Canyon Park headquarters.

Deborah also took part in a number of public talks about her unique art methods while abroad and organised a hands-on workshop for park visitors.

Now back home in Asfordby, she is preparing to exhibit her Grand Canyon collection in Hinckley from November 2012 to January 2013.