‘Threads in the Ground,’ a North East charity, is leading this project that will see people create a living artwork from bio materials in the shape of railway sleepers in Sunderland.
This sculpture is made up of 25 pieces, symbolising the city’s 25 electoral wards.
It was put together with the help of members of the public who attended a series of workshops.
The sculpture’s design takes cues from the old railway turntables in Ryhope and the south docks.
The railway sleepers are crafted using a wooden shell and filled with a bio material made from mycelium, a fungal network fed on waste from each ward.
Adam Cooper, director at Threads in the Ground, said: “The sleepers are a tribute to the city’s heritage—the railway lines that played a huge role in shipbuilding and mining.
“But they’re not just a thing of the past; they’re still in use today.
“The mycelium will actually produce edible mushrooms, which we’re planning to use for a feast event later this year.
“Over time, the sleepers themselves will break down into the soil, becoming part of new life underground.
“It’s all about that cycle—history and heritage transforming into something new, which is exactly what this piece represents.”
On Saturday, April 5, Threads in the Ground will host a free public event at the Expo Sunderland Pavilion in Keel Square.
Here, Sunderland residents are invited to help fabricate the sleepers and plant the mycelium material that will grow in them.
There will also be family workshops during the Easter holidays on Tuesday, April 22, at 11am and 1.30pm.
The artwork will remain on show in the Pavilion until Thursday, April 24, before finding a more permanent residence later in the year.
Mr Cooper said: “I hope for the people coming to see and enjoy the sculpture that it’ll be a totally novel experience for them.
“The aim is to spark a different way of thinking about our connection to nature and how our heritage connects to climate change.”
Threads in the Ground has partnered with North East artist Ross H Frew and By The Bay Mushroom Co for this initiative.
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Councillor Beth Jones, cabinet member for communities, culture and tourism at Sunderland City Council, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for local people to get involved in a unique project that is rooted in the city’s heritage and also deliver an important message about the future.”
The activity is part of Culture House Sunderland’s pre-opening programme, funded by the UK Government as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
It aims to engage communities across Sunderland before the venue’s opening in autumn 2025.
More details about the Threads in the Ground workshops can be found on their website.
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