Artwork

Bristol deaf school unveils ‘joy of sign language’ sculpture

September 24, 2025 2 Mins Read

Steve YabsleyBristol and

Jasmine Ketibuah-FoleyBristol

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

BBC The headteacher pointing up at the wooden artwork which is in the shape of a tree. On the wall behind the tree there are green images of the silhouettes of children doing sign language. There are two young boys wearing dark tops and blue jeans facing the teacher with their backs to the camera. They are also looking up at the tree. — 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 Persard 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

The top part of the tree sculpture rising up to the ceiling of the school's reception. You can see an upper window filled with light behind its branches. The walls behind it are grey and green. — 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”

Artist Cathy Mager is pictured wearing a navy dress with a full skirt and wide belt and she has her hands in her pockets. She is smiling as she stands in front of the sculpture in the school's reception area. — 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

A branch section of the wooden sculpture which features a few children waving flags that bear the letters 'BSL'. There are green wooden leaves and two hands making sign language. — 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”.

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