I was commissioned to paint one of the 60 large bears for Bears of Sheffield in 2019 to raise funds for Sheffield's Children Hospital. Originally the bear trail will go live in 2020 but was postponed to summer 2021 due to the pandemic. 

About bears of Sheffield
 

Brought to you by The Children’s Hospital Charity the money raised throughout donations, sponsored walks, bear-athons and everything in between will help Sheffield Children’s where it is needed most, which is currently a new Cancer and Leukaemia ward.

The bears will help patients like Myla by creating a home from home and completely transforming the ward for patients and their families.

Children are still receiving treatment on our ward in facilities which could be better.

At the end of the trail all of the big bears will come together at a Farewell event for one last time before being auctioned off. The little bears will be returned to their school for them to keep and enjoy for years to come.

About Story of Treeman
 

Edwina Kung’s inspiration for her Bear design stems from the form of the original Bear Sculpture at Sheffield Botanical Gardens, which inspires an idea of suggesting the origin of wildlife and the texture of fur. Taking the idea of playing hide and seek on the body of the Bear, inside its very thick fur, Edwina illustrated the blank canvas into a forest that suggests the texture of the fur and trees, creating a playful imaginary world that everyone can enjoy.

The Tree man is created through the idea of being able to hide and show yourself from your willingness, and being able to build your own imaginary world that you’re comfortable in. Tree man could be seen as individuals, or as one.

Crystal Peaks Shopping Centre, Main Entrance

More information about Bears of Sheffield can be found on: www.bearsofsheffield.com