The Sanctum of The One Eyed Toad (& other Spirit Animals of Walsall)
In collaboration with artist Chris Poolman as part of Earthbound, The New Art Gallery Walsall




The Walsall Camel Sanctum Cloth, 2024
The Sanctum of the One-Eyed Toad was developed during a long-term residency at The New Art Gallery Walsall during which artist Chris Poolman explored natural building techniques to create a series of specially commissioned sculptures. The central sculptural work is inspired by the earthwork architecture of Britzer Garten, Berlin,which houses a clay village created by children and their families and 1970s adventure playground projects in Birmingham by former playworker Dave Swingle. Working with the Tuesday Women’s Group from Caldmore Community Garden (Mud Club),clay relief panels were co-produced, celebrating animals,both real and mythical, that have particular significancefor individuals and groups from the local community.
Grace Emily Manning created two large scale fabric banners / temple cloths (dyed with locally sourced buddleia) that hang alongside The Sanctum of the One-Eyed Toad and a further banner for the Gallery’s street-facing Window Box.