Biography

Sarah Beauclerk originally trained as a bespoke furniture designer in Nottingham. Her first concept piece, Chichi the Rocking Piano, was launched at Designersblock in London in 2007 and, following a 3-year tour, named one of 10 best piano re-designs by The Guardian. Subsequent pieces include Dorothy and Bramwell miniatures (exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art Milan), The Restoration Throne (shown at the Milan Museum of Science and Technology) and Hello Stranger, a story-table created for a six-month exhibition at Nhow Milano. A theme of exploring ways for humanity to live in harmony with and as part of Nature can be followed throughout her work. After many years of adventures working around the world with some of today's most exciting pioneers and lecturing as far afield as the National Academy of Fine Art in China, a move to Wales led Sarah to explore creative approaches to improving wellbeing. Her latest project involves creating immersive experiences for people with extreme healthcare needs including mental health and palliative and dementia care patients and unpaid carers. She currently lives close to Upton Castle with her husband, writer Charles Beauclerk, daughter Thea and collie dog Gwir.

The Fractal Tree

  • This sound and video installation was created especially for the 12/13th century chapel at Upton Castle, Pembrokeshire. It was probably once the parish church for Nash-cum-Upton. The Castle is thought to have been built in the 13th century by the Malefant family,

    The Fractal Tree responds to sound. Voice and song is set to motion unique kaleidoscopic patterns and illuminates. The projected video imitates stained glass windows.

    A tree appears on the chapel wall. Branches sprout buds that unfurl into an illustrated window. Patterns within the window form from fractals, symmetry, and the golden mean. Through algorithmic botany, shapes uncannily reminiscent of flowers, leaves and other elements found in nature mirror the story of the surrounding woodland. The window is illuminated not by sunlight but by sound. Rustling leaves, birdsong and the sounds of people passing through set in motion unique sequences of hues and forms. The fractal tree captures the delicate balance of growth and decay, stability and chaos core themes that resonate within the cycles of nature.