Hand in Hand project

//www.youtube.com/embed/zljnTNKcjsY#t=0.5

This September, a spectacular tree sculpture like no other is set to take root on the site of two Bristol schools. With branches uniquely etched with British Sign Language, the sculpture celebrates the education of deaf children in the UK.

This towering artwork of two trees will transform a reception area shared by two schools in North Bristol: Elmfield School for Deaf Children and Upper Horfield Community School.

The sculpture’s twin carved trunks and undulating branches are individually imprinted with the hands of pupils at the school. The branches’ leaves are clad in Portuguese cork which act as a natural sound absorber to soften the acoustics of the high ceilings. The surrounding walls are painted with silhouettes of children photographed in a special shadow play workshop at the school.

The sculpture was created by Bristol artist Cathy Mager who is also deaf and is the founder of Spectroscope, an acclaimed international artist studio. Cathy collaborated with children from the two schools to design the nature-inspired artwork, with the help of local deaf and disabled artists. She also invited former pupils of Elmfield School to take part in a sign language poetry film with the children which can be viewed alongside the sculpture.

Cathy brought together a team of some of Bristol’s best fabrication specialists to build the artwork, including carpentry expertise from Rich White at Spike Island. The timber was etched by specialist routing machines at Bristol Old Vic’s scenic workshop.

Kate Persaud, Headteacher of Elmfield School for Deaf Children:

“This project has been a wonderful experience for the pupils from both schools.

To have such a significant and positive installation in our building helps to reinforce Elmfield's commitment to creating an environment that celebrates British Sign Language and deaf culture. Cathy's vision for this piece was ideal for the space and for the ethos of our school, and we are so fortunate to have had this opportunity to work together”

The artist said:

“Hand in Hand is a monument to the vitalness of communication and friendship in the lives of deaf children as they grow, learn and dream for the future. I wanted to capture the joy of sign language and the transformative impact it has on the wellbeing of deaf and hearing children alike”. Cathy Mager

Hand in Hand has been supported by funding from Bristol Council and Arts Council of England.

About the Artist

Cathy Mager is an acclaimed artist and curator known for her powerful public realm works that explore new perspectives on equity, climate change and heritage. Since 2020 Mager has pioneered sign language projection artworks on major public buildings including The Arnolfini – Bristol Light Festival, The Cunard - Liverpool, Arnolfini - Bristol, Duolun Museum of Modern Art and Suhe Haus - Shanghai. Her immersive installation Finger Talk, for the Wellcome Collection is currently on show in London until October 17. She previously directed the heritage interpretation programme for Bristol Beacon 2021-2023, overseeing a series of permanent artworks that brought to the fore lost histories.

In 2021, she founded Spectroscope, an international collective of deaf and disabled artists and their most recent collaborative artwork Night Bloom was featured at Science Gallery as part of Vital Signs: Another World is Possible, 2024-2025 and is due to tour to Plymouth Market Hall October-November 2025.