"This remarkable sculpture is a celebration of creativity, inclusion and the power of communication. It reflects the values we hold dear in Bristol – that every child, regardless of how they communicate, should feel seen, heard and valued. I’m proud that our city is home to such a pioneering piece of public art"
A permanent artwork with Elmfield School for Deaf Children
Hand in Hand is a site-specific public artwork created with the deaf community at Elmfield School for Deaf Children in Bristol. Set outdoors and made to be lived with every day, the work celebrates connection, language, and belonging — placing deaf culture visibly and proudly into the fabric of the school’s environment.
At the heart of the piece are two sculptural forms that stand side by side like companions: a shared marker of community, resilience, and growing together. Their surfaces carry etched silhouettes inspired by sign language — a gentle, powerful reminder that hands hold stories, knowledge, and identity.
The sculptures are constructed using sustainably sourced Portuguese cork, chosen for both its environmental credentials and its natural sound-insulating qualities. The material helps soften surrounding noise while offering a warm, tactile surface — supporting a calmer sensory environment and aligning with the values of accessibility and wellbeing central to the school.
Featured in BBC News
Designed to be encountered in passing as well as paused with, Hand in Hand is both a landmark and a quiet invitation: to notice, to gather, to feel welcome.
Made with the school community
This artwork was developed through an engaged process with pupils, staff, and the wider school community. Working collaboratively, we explored how movement, gesture and sign language can translate into a permanent visual form — creating something that feels true to the site and the people who shape it.
The result is an artwork that doesn’t just sit on a place, but grows from it.
Why it matters
- A visible celebration of deaf culture in a public-facing environment
- A lasting legacy shaped through community input and shared authorship
- A landmark for belonging — marking the school as a place where language and identity are valued
- A site-specific artwork that responds to the atmosphere, history and daily life of the setting
Interested in a site-specific artwork for your school or community?
We create bespoke, community-engaged artworks for schools, public sites and cultural venues — working closely with communities to develop ambitious, accessible pieces that feel rooted in place.
If you’d like to explore what might be possible for your site — whether that’s a permanent sculpture, projection work, immersive installation, or participatory making programme — we’d love to hear from you.
Full Creative Team:
Charlie Swinbourne, Peace Adesosun, Cat Roberts, David Ellington, Lynn Stewart-Taylor, Alice Bowen-Churchill, Ruth Montgomery.
With special thanks to Chris Laing for his design consultation.