Community Comes Together to Create Biodiversity Ceiling

The project, led by award-winning artist Salma Zulfiqar, brought together a community of people to create a stunning patchwork ceiling using petals from two National Trust Gardens, Packwood House and Baddesley Clinton, located on the border of Solihull and Warwickshire. The ceiling is made up of pressed and dried flowers, showcasing the beauty and diversity of the gardens.

The Creation Process

To create the patches for the ceiling, Salma Zulfiqar invited school students and people from marginalized communities to participate in workshops. Over 100 people worked on the project, and each piece reflects the learning and skills gained during the workshops. The artist worked closely with Packwood’s Head Gardener over the past six months to collect, dry, and press flowers for the project.

Collecting and Pressing Flowers

The team collected a variety of flowers from the gardens, focusing on those with medical value. These flowers were used in the workshops to create the sections, known as "petals," that make up the ceiling. The goal was to create a ceiling that not only reflects the beauty of the gardens but also helps people learn about the value of the flowers.

The Significance of the Project

The project was a pleasant experience for the young women from the area who participated, and it helped to bring the community together. The National Trust spokesman noted that the flowers selected from the gardens were chosen because they are both "useful and beautiful." Examples of the flowers used include pressed catkins made from hazel fur plants, edible hazelnuts, and pressed halberdore flowers, which are being examined as potential future medicinal products.

The Impact of the Project

The biodiversity ceiling is not only a stunning work of art, but it also serves as a educational tool, teaching people about the importance and value of the flowers used in its creation. The project demonstrates the power of community and collaboration, bringing people together to create something truly unique and beautiful. The ceiling is a testament to the beauty and diversity of the National Trust Gardens and the creativity and skill of the people who worked on the project.