EAGLE-EYED villagers may have spotted an unusual housing development has cropped up on the side of the Malvern Hills.

But far from being a modern- art estate, this scheme is the work of artist Herdi Ali Kardi, who has created a temporary art installation, entitled The Village, on a rocky outcrop at the bus stop near the West of England car park in West Malvern Road.

The miniature houses are symbolic of Herdi’s home village in Kurdistan, northern Iraq, and an official opening took place yesterday, Thursday.

Mr Kardi, who came to England in 2002 and is studying fine art at the University of Gloucestershire, said: “I am from a generation which experienced the violation of war and horrific tragedies of genocide.

“This has had a strong impact on my artwork and is embedded in my thoughts to fight against the darkness of brutality.

“My work demonstrates memories of war and life experience, observations, trials, injustice, persecution and suffering in Kurdish society.”

The installation, which has been placed with the permission of the Malvern Hills Conservators who manage the hills, is a tribute to the remarkable spirit of the Kurdish people and the landscape that protected them during times of conflict – similar to that provided by the Malverns.

For more information, email Fiona@malvernhills.

org.uk or go to herdiart.com.