My favourite sculpture trails are those that can be done on foot with sculptures that are close together while allowing exploration of a city without feeling sore or requiring driving and struggling to find a place to park. The "Hookedwinked!" trail in Nottingham did not disappoint; thirty-two painted robin sculptures could be explored easily in a day around Nottingham on foot. All of these sculptures were central and close together, which was perfect for a day out. "Hoodwinked!" is a trail of sculptures of the robin bird and plays a take on the "Robin Hood" (get it?) story that the city is known for. This has been the fourth sculpture trail that I have walked so far this year.
'Ay up me duck' by Nottingham Playhouse Paintshop Team
The robins all wear the cloak, robe, and arrows that the character Robin Hood was known for and is depicted with in illustrations. In addition to the robins, there are also a few book benches around the city, but I did not see those. Many of these were further afield. The robin sculptures have all individually been painted by local artists, and they go to auction in the autumn to raise money for Nottinghamshire Hospice. The idea of the "hoodwinked" theme in the name of the trail is that they have been camoflagued to hide from the Sheriff of Nottingham, one of the villans in the "Robin Hood" story.
'Roots of Boots Robin' by Julia Allum
'Rockin' Robin' by Naomi Law
'Royal Robin Redbreast' by Julie Vernon
'Stage Flight' by Claire Thompson and Anna Roberts; 'Rocket Robin' by Deven Bhurke; 'R2 Tweet2' by Mik Richardson; 'Robin Hood' by Jodie Silverman
'Carnival Celebrations' by Jess Kemp - JAK in the Green
'The Sheriff of Nottingham' by Jodie Silverman
'Captain Jack Robin' by Susan Webber; 'Max (Superhero on the Weekends)' by Kid30; 'Robo Robin' by Glen Brooks; 'Goose Fair, Goose Fowl' by Cathy Simpson
'The Green Heart of the City' by Curious? Nottingham
'Lacework' by Danni Thompson
'What's Notts?' by Paul Atchison
'Where's Robin?' by Kathleen Smith
The Hoodwinked! trail is around for a few more weeks yet; it finishes at the end of September. If you would rather not walk the trail, the robins will all be in one place in mid-October for a weekend, but tickets need to be booked in advance.
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