Rebecca Chesney

Unwanted Pad Gallery, Preston 2006
Installation

I conducted surveys in 2006 to try and discover all the weed species in Preston city centre. Originally over 50 species were counted in the gaps in the pavement, along gutters, in walls, on roof tops and chimneys and on small plots of derelict land. Only species that were unplanned and not deliberately planted on landscaped areas were included in the count. One lovely surprise was discovering a Broad Bean growing in the pavement on Birley Street near the old Post Office building.

10 species were highlighted in the exhibition: Creeping Buttercup, Nettle, Daisy, Greater Plantain, Creeping Thistle, Herb Robert, Broad-leaved Willowherb, Annual Meadow Grass, Broad-leaved Dock and Dandelion showing both a live specimen and a location map for each.


Left: Original map used to plot all the plant species in Preston city centre
Right: Installation view of Unwanted at PAD Gallery in 2006


Left: Annual meadow grass Poa annua specimen and location map
Middle: Installation view of Unwanted
Right: Dandelion Taraxacum officinale specimen and location map

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