Whiteley has announced the creation of a bespoke sculpture inspired by the traditional gift for a tenth anniversary, tin, to mark a decade since the centre opened.
The sculpture will see recycled tin and aluminium drinks cans transformed into a bright, eye-catching rabbit installation, in a nod to Whiteley’s woodland heritage.
The eco-art will be brought to life by Nottingham-based creator Sarah Turner, who is internationally renowned for her upcycling of household waste materials into breathtaking sculptures. Her latest will be soon found on Whiteley’s grass area outside Wagamama.
As well as recognising the centre’s history, the sustainable design is a testament to Whiteley’s ongoing commitment to making a positive difference for customers, the community, and the environment.
Existing sustainability initiatives at the centre include the installation of water tanks underneath its carparks to harvest rainwater for its trees, more than 35,000 sq. ft. of solar panels on site which have generated over 1,800,000 kWh of energy since 2018, and a commitment to recycling all possible waste.
The installation also follows a new project launched this year at Whiteley to collect and reuse bottle tops, a traditionally difficult to recycle item, with more than 6,000 tops donated to date, which have been turned into a piece of public art and will be used in ongoing art initiatives.
Mia Gordon, centre director for Whiteley, said: “This latest addition to our anniversary celebrations is a fantastic representation of our continual commitment to making responsible choices that have lasting benefits for our customers and community. I am looking forward to seeing Sarah’s design installed at the centre in the coming weeks.”
Sarah Turner added: “This project with Whiteley offers the opportunity to continue my work transforming discarded items such as bottles and cans into beautiful creations.
“My love for this work started back in university, when working in a coffee shop highlighted the huge amounts of bottles and cans that are thrown away each day. Projects such as these are vital to raising awareness for environmental damage and moving towards a more sustainable future.”
The sculpture is set to be unveiled in October and the installation forms part of Whiteley’s wider tenth anniversary celebrations, which have included a summer of celebratory events such as a doggy activity day and family-friendly fun days throughout the summer holidays.
To see the design coming to life and learn more about Sarah Turner, please visit:
For more information on Whiteley’s broader sustainability initiatives, please visit: