20 October 2026 –
Art student Seren has donated two beautiful sculptures to LandWorks, inspired by the healing power of nature and creativity and by the project’s commitment to helping people build positive futures.
Having recently completed an Art Foundation course at Exeter College, Seren is taking a gap year and is hoping to continue her studies at university. She has been visiting the LandWorks shop with her parents since she was a child, where she developed a lasting appreciation for its handmade ceramics and woodwork.
“When my mum told me how these beautiful bowls were made by people who have recently left prison, or are at risk of going there, it made a strong impression in my mind that using hands to create can heal and produce beauty out of hardship. It is a beautiful example of symbiotic human connection: helping the creator and bringing joy to others.”
Art has also played an important role in Seren’s own life, helping her navigate grief and self-worth. For her final foundation project, she wanted to explore how creativity can support healing and bring people closer to nature, something she recognised in LandWorks’ gardens and creative activities.
Originally planning to make one clay sculpture, Seren decided that two complementary figures would better express her ideas about being bound, both literally through imprisonment and metaphorically through negative thoughts and patterns.
The first figure, with clenched fists and more naturalistic detail, represents introspection. Its abstracted companion, with open hands, suggests release and a moment of letting go.
“Natural hollows in trees and the body inspire the organic shapes; I focus on where the clay is not as much as where it is,” Seren explains.
During her visit to LandWorks, Seren was delighted by the encouragement she received and the opportunity to hear how others responded to her work. One trainee recognised the pose of the figure with clasped hands as Vajrasana, the thunderbolt pose practised during the morning yoga class and saw peace where others might see restriction. The encounter highlighted the personal and unexpected connections art can create.
LandWorks Art Lead, Julia Toy, said: “‘It was lovely to see Seren chatting to Cherry (who was on placement at LandWorks at the time). They spoke about what it means to be a woman and a mother whilst in prison. It’s great to see their conversation brought to life through art. Both sculptures fit beautifully into LandWorks and can be found down by our yurt.’
Seren hopes to stay in touch with LandWorks, which she describes as having “such an atmosphere of care, growth and creation”.
Her generous donation is a reminder of how creativity can transform personal experiences into something positive, offering reflection, connection and hope to others.
