Deaf school unveils 'joy of sign language' artwork

The artwork is in the reception area at Elmfield School for deaf children

A tree sculpture made by pupils and a deaf artist that "captures the joy of sign language" has been unveiled in the reception of a school for deaf children.

The huge artwork, called 'Hand in Hand', features two carved trunks with the British sign language alphabet etched into it and is in place at Elmfield School in Horfield, Bristol.

It was created by Bristol-based artist Cathy Mager who described it as a "wonderful coming together of shadow play and sign language".

Headteacher Kate Persaud said it was the "perfect symbol" for the school - a place where deaf children "find their identity and their language and their community".

The tree is made from birch pine and Portuguese cork

"We can't get them [the pupils] out of reception because they're stood there pointing at each other and looking for the letters of their names and their friends," she said.

"This is where they grow and develop as a deaf individual.

"This is where they find their identity and their language and their community - so using a tree for Elmfield is the perfect symbol."

Ms Mager said the artwork was a "really powerful statement"

The tree is made from birch pine and Portuguese cork and it took more than a year to manufacture.

Ms Mager said the artpiece was a "really powerful statement" for the school which "celebrates the incorporation of sign language into its curriculum".

The sculpture took more than a year to manufacture with the help of the school's pupils

She added: "I'm so proud.

"The special thing is when people come in expecting to see an ordinary school space and then they look up and they gasp when they see it because it's so joyful and uplifting. It's really beautiful.

"It is a wonderful coming together of shadow play and sign language".