I am particularly proud of this recent sculpture. I feel I have pushed through some design barriers and am very happy with the depth of meaning I managed to portray for the clients. I have included some of my description I wrote for the clients.
Japan’s Shinto values purity and natural forms.
It teaches that Kami – super consciousness exists in all things;
mountains, rocks, weather, our elderly and especially in materials that have weathered naturally.
Absolute perfection is shunned in favour of small flaws as occur in nature.
At the time of this commission, I was inspired by a beautiful book of sculpture and design I was reading at the time.
It was a documentation of my mentor, Peter Blizzard’s final sculpture exhibition earlier this year. The quotes above are borrowed from it, Peter Blizzard a Retrospective.
The proportions are very important in this piece, Landscape. The way the different shapes and lines relate to one another in a harmonious manner is important for the viewer and sculptor alike.
The strong base represents the rock and stonewalls that the client enjoys using in his landscape. The layering of the sheets of steel give the impression of broken pieces of slate. It also reflects the surf coast, and the swell lines wrapping around our local rugged, rocky beaches.
The striking right angle reflects the client's own garden design in which this sculpture is placed at the apex.
The stylized succulent growing from the corner is based on the client's favourite plant that I spotted near the front door, when I visited to discuss the commission. The aging lower leaves have been accentuated, and as some call Cinnamonised, with my distinctive curls.
The fictitious blooms sprouting from the top add a touch of whimsy and colourful movement to the piece. The fused patterned glass aims to reflect some morning sunlight through the front windows and will dance about in the wind.
The whole design is then anchored with the powerful circle.
I love this shape in my artwork as it represents the moon and the sun.
It’s single line with no beginning or end holds the sculpture together and completes it.
