Amy Haigh

🪨🪷 OᗷᒍEᑕTᔕ, ᗩᑎTᕼᖇOᘔOOᒪOGY IG: @amyhaigh.xyz [she/her] Artist & Researcher, amyhaigh.com. Strange ecology, anthrozoology, alt futures, and nonhuman-animal narratives through sculpture.

[amyhaigh]

The Layered Woodlouse Mounds [Wildlife habitat sculpture] Stoneware with glaze June 2023

Amy Haigh

This new commission by Amy Haigh is a sculptural habitat (in stoneware with glaze), to be situated outdoors in a publicly accessible greenspace. The Layered Woodlouse Mounds (2023) act as a monument to its namesake species. Although the inhabitants are not seen by human observers for the most part, they live and search for food within the Mounds’ hidden sanctuaries, revealing themselves in fleeting moments as they leave and enter. … for more of my work see amyhaigh.xyz

The Mounds were shown at the Royal Horticultural Society Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival in 2023.

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Reconfigured Cycle Rack [Wildlife habitat sculpture] Reclaimed Stainless Steel June 2022

Amy Haigh

The Reconfigured Cycle Rack is a sculptural habitat installed as a public art piece on the University of Surrey's Stag Hill campus. The piece makes use of reclaimed cycle racks from the uni grounds. The racks were cut down into around 600 pieces and reassembled to form a dome structure that houses a log pile in its centre.

My research focused mainly on slow worms and stag beetles as protected species present in the area. Decaying log piles are essential for stag beetles as a food source, with the material also attracting invertebrate species for slow worms to feed on. The metal pipes absorb heat and protect the log pile from the direct sun, in this way they form a haven for slow worms searching for a place to eat or bask.

The sculpture was commissioned for Surrey Hills Arts' HABITAT project. The project took a small area on campus at the University of Surrey, transforming it through planting and the introduction of four sculptural habitats to support local wildlife with support from Surrey Wildlife Trust.

This work, as part of the HABITAT project, was recently shortlisted for the Guildford Design Awards 2023.

See more of my work at amyhaigh.xyz

[amyhaigh]

The Two-Part Birdhome [a cork bird house] Cork w/ brass eyelet March 2021 Amy Haigh x Alex Cashmore

Attractive and easily maintained, for humans and birds alike: the Two-Part Birdhome is a catalyst for long-lasting bird—human friendships. 

The Two-Part Birdhome provides a safe and comfortable dwelling for its residents, as well as an attractive and environmentally-friendly addition to the landscape for the bird-watcher. As the name suggest, the home has only two parts, both made with high density cork. This makes the home sustainable, weather-proof, and non-toxic. The two parts slot together with friction-fit tabs, making it easy to assemble and dissemble for cleaning. The home can be mounted to a tree or post using a nail, cable tie, or string through the reinforced mounting hole. The Two-Part Birdhome was shortlisted for the Legendary Bird Home competition in 2020. for more see amyhaigh.com