After the fire – art from the ashes

The shock felt by local people following last month’s fire on Upton Heath has been expressed in a unique painting by one local woman.  Artist Judith Opsblum, who lives in Corfe Mullen, has created a stark image of the devastated nature reserve following the blaze, using charcoal from the burnt remains of heathland plants.  Now Judith has donated her painting to Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Upton Heath appeal to restore the damaged habitat to its former wildlife-rich glory.

Andy Fale, Dorset Wildlife Trust Warden said, “People have been very upset by the effects of the fire and their strong support for our work at this time has been fantastic.  Judith’s extraordinary piece of art is a great expression of the impact it has had and now it will help us to restore the heath and the diverse wildlife that relies on it.”

Like many local residents, Judith visited the heath shortly after the fire with her children and the family was very distressed at the sight of the blackened landscape on their regular dog-walking route.   They were so upset that she resolved to do something to help.  Judith’s painting, which she has named ‘After the Fire’ is being auctioned on ebay by Dorset Wildlife Trust for the recently launched Upton Heath Appeal.

Judith said: “I just wanted to help in any way I could.  It seemed fitting to use a piece of charcoal from the fire to create a picture of the devastation, to try to make something good out of something so bad.”

The auction runs for 10 days from Saturday 23 July at www.myworld.ebay.co.uk/dorsetwildlifetrust
You can find out more about the fire and the appeal, which is exclusively for restoration of Upton Heath, at www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/uptonheathappeal.