Home   Ashford   News   Article

‘Roundabout Bansky’, aka Jon Allcorn from Ashford, creates woodland artwork

An artist nicknamed ‘Roundabout Banksy’ has created new works along a riverside path to put a smile on walkers’ faces.

Former fabricator welder Jon Allcorn was inspired by the Unframed mural festival in Ashford to design his latest pieces.

The 53-year-old walks his dogs in the woods and noticed the tree stumps so thought he would “brighten the area up”. Picture: Jon Allcorn
The 53-year-old walks his dogs in the woods and noticed the tree stumps so thought he would “brighten the area up”. Picture: Jon Allcorn
An artist from Ashford has created a variety of artwork in the woods. Picture: Jon Allcorn
An artist from Ashford has created a variety of artwork in the woods. Picture: Jon Allcorn

They can be found along a path on the Little Burton estate and show animals burnt into tree stumps.

A sculpture of a dragon made completely out of chains and cutlery is also included.

Mr Allcorn said: “I used to put a few pieces out on Ashford’s local roundabouts as I felt it would put a smile on people's faces on their journeys.

“Ashford has recently had some really good murals painted. It gave me the bug to go and have a play.

Jon Allcorn is a former fabricator welder
Jon Allcorn is a former fabricator welder

“I live local to where I have done my art pieces so I walk through that way several times a day with my dogs.

“I thought it could do with brightening up. I could see that the local authorities had felled some trees, so I thought I'd have a go at a few pictures.”

The 53-year-old, who has been a welder fabricator since the age of 14, created lines in the tree stumps to make different animals by using a dremel soldering iron.

So far, he has created a tiger, elephant, ferret and emus.

He added: “The dragon was created from a forklift centre chain, a normal link chain, some cutlery, a couple of nuts and a couple of marbles.

Jon Allcorn created a dragon in the run up to the King's coronation
Jon Allcorn created a dragon in the run up to the King's coronation
Mr Allcorn made this dragon sculpture out of odd bits and bobs. Picture: Jon Allcorn
Mr Allcorn made this dragon sculpture out of odd bits and bobs. Picture: Jon Allcorn

“I had recently made myself a lizard sculpture from the chain and had some left over. I saw the flat stump when I was doing my wood burning pictures and thought it would be an ideal place for a sculpture.

“With the coronation, I thought I would do a dragon.”

Mr Allcorn says he has more artwork to share and is happy to have received many positive comments from the community.

Having been installing art pieces in the town for four years, earning him the nickname “Roundabout Bansky”, Mr Allcorn revealed his true identity in 2021.

He created the pieces by using a dremel soldering iron. Picture: Jon Allcorn
He created the pieces by using a dremel soldering iron. Picture: Jon Allcorn
He recently created pictures of animals on tree stumps along a path at the Little Burton estatePictures: Jon Allcorn
He recently created pictures of animals on tree stumps along a path at the Little Burton estatePictures: Jon Allcorn

He decided to auction some of his work off in memory of his beloved wife Sharon who sadly died in 2020 after battling cancer for 33 years.

He said it had always been his intention to eventually auction off his public art for Pilgrims Hospice as they helped him and his wife immensely.

Mr Allcorn says he spends a lot of time working on his art and finds it really helps him following the loss of his wife.

He added he has plenty more up his sleeve when it comes to creating pieces in Ashford.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More