Time Capsule

Time Capsule -2013. 1.7 m x 45 cm x 45 cm .

 

Where ideas are made!

A moment captured when the autumnal light pierced the back of my seat and cast a shadow onto a sphere of Irish Blue Limestone. A moment of sudden enlightenment when an idea springs to mind! 

Touch Stone

I've stopped counting the days I've been working on this sculpture as I've been focusing on a new commission and all the paperwork that comes with it. I think it might be day 8!!

The days away from it and the reconnection with it again has left me considering a few ideas and a new approach to the carving. One idea I have had has risen from the temptation to always touch the top of the stone column when I'm working it. This has resulted in me rounding the top of the stone and because it stands at 1.5m it is inviting for the viewer to reach out and touch the warm tactile quality of the 'Portland Capsule'. The idea of texturing the lower half of the sculpture has also changed and I have now began to introduce a fluted pattern across its surface. The notion is to explore the history of the landscape through the representation of core sampling while also referencing my physical exploration of the stone and the reductive process of carving. 

Lazy Days

Yesterday was one of those testing days, as much as I tried, my efforts on shaping the stone by the end of the day had only produced dust and a few stone chipping's. In a way I needed a day like that to help me slow down and look closely at how the sculpture was developing. Today however was more successful and I am pleased with how it's taking shape. I've lowered the stone again and brought it back out into the natural light to highlight al those lumps and bumps! I'm looking forward to polishing this Portland up however I'm already thinking that the lower half will be textured with some nice big punch marks!

Setting out for the column!

Day 4. Setting out the areas to be removed to start carving the column.

The Reductive Process

Day 3 and I have taken away most of the waste and have lifted the stone onto a banker to save the strain on my back!! Now time to get out the compressor!