Trunks Across The Thames
News
EMERGE resident David Janes creates stunning elephant sculpture for Thames art trail
Wednesday, 29 July, 2026Trunks Across the Thames is an art trail organised by Thames Hospice, aiming to create a free, interactive experience across Windsor, Eton and Slough. Artists are selected and each given a blank elephant sculpture to individually design.
Creative Arts Practice graduate and EMERGE resident David Janes submitted his pixilated design using blocks of wood to the Thames Hospice’s very first art trail. Here, there were over 300 initial proposals, of which 80 were chosen. David’s piece will be amongst 34 large elephants and several smaller ones, which will be decorated by schools and members of the community.
Speaking about his creative process, David said:
“I had no interest in painting it. I decided to attempt to pixelate the elephant. I wanted it to look recognisable as something I had done, in line with my other sculptures. As I put it, I wanted to make this real object low resolution in a high-definition world; fragmented and curious, a rumour of an elephant seen on a website.”
Hearing the news of his selection, David quickly realised that he could not fit the elephant in his car, or even his house. Luckily, as an Emerge resident, David was able to use the Fabrication Yard at Locksbrook Campus and so worked out there for March and April.
“I covered the elephant in I don’t know how many 2cm square blocks of wood, used 5 litres of glue, 5 cans of yacht varnish and 12 litres of resin. I had initially predicted it would take 2 weeks to complete, but it ended up almost taking 6.”
Creating such an intricate sculpture required an immense amount of persistence. The process was lengthy and came with its own set of challenges.
“As soon as I saw the sculpture, I knew it was going to be a lot to do. I worked under a gazebo and kept a journal of my daily progress and thoughts. Once it was finished, I was filled with the sense that if I could do this, I could do anything, and that I probably would never cover an elephant with tiny blocks of wood ever again.”
Beyond the challenges, the project carries real personal weight. Trunks across the Thames will help raise funds for Thames Hospice, who help provide for people who are living with life-limiting conditions and need specialist care to help them have the best quality of life, to the end of life. After the elephants are displayed for three months over the summer, they will be auctioned with proceeds going to the hospice. For David, this is closer to home than most,
“Both my parents were in hospices (although not the Thames Hospice) before dying, and so I know how important the help they offer is.”
The foundations to attempt something so challenging and so intricate were built during David's 3 years studying Creative Arts Practice here at BSU. Projects focusing on 3D objects made from wood refined his practice; how he conceived ideas, what he wanted his work to look like, as well as giving him the confidence to be able to make those ideas concrete.
“Conversations with my tutors allowed me to push what I did into new areas, and workshop experience with the technical team taught me how I could actually make the work. I learned best practice for keeping my portfolio and how to write my artist statement and biography. The year after graduation has not been without its challenges, but I hope that each individual success will lead to other opportunities.“
The Trunks across the Thames herd will be marching between 13th July and 13th September 2026, and for more information on how to visit David’s elephant and the rest of the herd, including how to donate to Thames Hospice, please visit