Herd of painted Oxen in place for art trail

Painted sculptures of oxen have been placed throughout Oxfordshire as part of an art trail.

The OxTrail art installation includes 31 life-sized and 100 miniature ox sculptures, each uniquely decorated by local and international artists and schoolchildren.

The collection, organised by Sobell House Hospice and Wild in Art is on display until the end of August.

To accompany the trail, a set of educational resources helping young people deal with bereavement has been produced by Oxford Brookes University.

The large oxen are all located within Oxford’s city centre, alongside landmarks including Westgate shopping centre, Oxford Castle and St Michael at the North Gate.

About 85 schools and community groups helped decorate the miniature oxen, which are on display in libraries, hotels and community spaces across the county.

Visitors can use an app or map to navigate the trail and locate as many of the sculptures as possible.

The ox is traditionally associated with Oxford and features on the city's coat of arms and as the badge of Oxford United.

Oxford Brookes University worked with Sobell House to develop resources for children, to support difficult conversations around grief and loss.

Schools and community groups who were involved in painting the miniature oxen were given packs including poems, art and activities to help children dealing with bereavement.

Beth Marsh of Sobell House Hospice said: "The learning pack echoes the creativity of the trail while providing much needed guidance to teachers who are tackling discussions around bereavement every day.

"It has been a fantastic contribution to the OxTrail event and will continue to be a vital resource long after the trail has ended,” she added.

The sculptures are to be auctioned on 13 September and all money raised will go towards the hospice.