The Longsleeper

Structural Acrobatics

The Impressive Longsleeper

Longsleeper is made from 17 tons of Oak and appears to perform visual and structural acrobatics! This impressive sculpture has to be seen to be believed. Oakfield Park is renowned for its narrow-gauge train, and some of the inspiration for the piece comes from the railway.

The levers to alter the direction of the track at the ‘points’ were traditionally secured to a long sleeper. “This sense of movement and change is a central idea of the piece”, said Locky. Sited on the spiral mound, it reveals itself to train passengers dynamically as they journey around the mound.

Perfect Alignment

No Two Views are the Same

No two views will be the same, as the straight oak sleepers appear to twist and turn, almost defying gravity. The spiral shape is reminiscent of the double helix of DNA, the genetic instructions for building all new life.

This birth, or rebirth theme, connects to the Biblical story of the awaking of the long sleepers at Ephesus. There is a strong sense of something new and life-affirming emerging from the landscape.

Longsleeper can also be clearly seen in perfect alignment with the middle of Oakfield Park House, 750 meters away, keeping with the Georgian design ethos and the gardens. Its circular aspect frames the distant Croaghan Hill, with the ancient burial mound, where it appears to curl up and spin towards the sky.