Louis Michel is a multi-disciplinary visual artist based in Margate England. Louis is internationally known for his environmental messaging, none more so than discussions surrounding the plight of pollinating bees.
Having curated the introduction of Rise Up Residency and the murals in Margate, Louis is now looking for ways to install 3D works of art into Thanet. The placement of an oversized but realistic rendition of a bee in the Sunken Gardens is the first of these sculptures to be erected.
The bee has been created on site, almost entirely from steamed UK harvested willow in October 2024 for the Sunken Garden Eco Fair.
In the spring of 2025 indigenous, pollinating climbing plants will be encouraged to spindle their way around the entirety of the sculpture. The artist will maintain the shape of the bee with pruning and training. It is anticipated that within 3-4 years the blooms of these plants will completely cover the willow, encouraging local pollinators to visit.
