The Nuba Survival, Checkendon April 2016

[mookster]

I don't really know the best way to introduce this, it's certainly an enigma with an interesting back story.

The Nuba Survival (often mistakenly called The Nuba Embrace) is a sculpture by John Buckley beside a very derelict barn in a field in rural Oxfordshire.

This sculpture appeared by Copyhold Barn, Checkendon. John Buckley created the sculpture on his return from a visit to the Nuba Mountains in central Sudan in 2000- 2001 where he was a guest of the Nuba Rehabilitation, Relief and Development Organisation (N.R.R.D.O.) during the time of the genocide. He witnessed first hand a mass attempt to wipe out a cultural identity through ethnic cleansing, slavery and fierce attacks on the traditional homelands.

Whilst the sculpture itself isn't 'abandoned' as such, it's a very peculiar place to be sited. And the falling down barn is pretty cool as well with it's multitude of boats under the collapsing roof.

The weather was dreadful, I want to go back in the height of summer when it's not raining too much.

Thanks for looking ​

 

[smiler]

The shot of the sculpture through the half open door, my favourite, Thanks

 

[Luise]

Loved this site... Did the Farmer spray you with stuff?
Interesting site, love the photos.

 

[J_a_t_33]

Is that on the road heading towards the woodcote road A4074?

 

[tazong]

When i first saw the original post i was really blown away - i think you have really added to that post and given the whole thing a much better sense of scale - its a lot bigger than i thought and done a great job of covering the surrounding area.
I am defintly going to this place - its awe inspiring as a art form and its meaning - you have captured this so well.
Really well done

 

[BritishAtHeart]

Whoa! That statue is kinda creepy looking, but still cool. It's the hollow voids of where they eyes should be and the mouths...almost looks as if it will come alive.

 

[krela]

It looks like they're mourning the loss of their barn...

 

[flyboys90]

Nice one..

 

[Rubex]

I never tire of seeing this, and your photos are some of the nicest I've seen. Nice one mookster!

 

[Malcog]

My favourite artistic post !