The sculpture was commissioned by the Northern Ireland Hospice's Integrated Arts Project in conjunction with the adult services re-build programme. The project was supported significantly by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Public Art Programme. With special thanks to Belleek Potteries who kindly gave their expert advice, time and use of studio facilities/technical support in the development of the Parian sculptural elements. And to Donite Plastics who's fabrication facilities allowed the design and development of the Perspex and Steel elements. The concept for this sculpture was to create a truly beautiful piece that will lift the sprits and reduce anxiety of Day Hospice patients entering the new facility.
The eye line is intended to be drawn up through the void towards the sculpture. The work is a focal point in a space that greets patients on the ground level. The first floor space performs as a break away area for the staff educational/training facility. The sculpture has two main vantage points that need to work visually on both levels.
The sculpture takes inspiration from a flower bud that hasn’t opened yet, the symmetry of nature; the changing seasons are represented in the laser-etched coloured Perspex and the slip cast Parian sections. The work salutes traditional craft techniques and disciplines within ceramics yet embraces new technologies and materials. This allowed greater manipulation of scale, shape, light, colour and texture within budget and timeframe. Both natural and electrical lighting continue to change how the sculpture is viewed throughout the day and into the evening. Lighting is incorporated and integrated into the design to maximise the hues and subtle changes of colour. The artist consulted with Chroma Lighting in the design of this bespoke component. The work is intended to be accessible and easily enjoyed by a broad range of service users and providers.
The sculpture is a multimedia piece incorporating Parian China, Coloured Perspex, Stainless Steel and LED Lighting.
Twenty petals sequence in a series of five. Firstly a Parian China slip cast petal is created using nine slip cast sections followed by four coloured Perspex petals all with supporting fins. The five petal series repeats in a quarterly cycle to reflect the changing seasons. 10 x clear solid acrylic rods representing stamen draws applied LED lighting through the internal structure of the sculpture. The stamen tips at the end of the lighting rods are capped with perforated Parian China slip cast pieces. It is hoped the sculpture provides intrigue and joy through the various mediums, applications and light dispersion.
The sculpture takes inspiration from a flower bud that hasn’t opened yet, the symmetry of nature; the changing seasons are represented in the laser-etched coloured Perspex and the slip cast Parian sections. The work salutes traditional craft techniques and disciplines within ceramics yet embraces new technologies and materials. This allowed greater manipulation of scale, shape, light, colour and texture within budget and timeframe. Both natural and electrical lighting continue to change how the sculpture is viewed throughout the day and into the evening. Lighting is incorporated and integrated into the design to maximise the hues and subtle changes of colour. The artist consulted with Chroma Lighting in the design of this bespoke component. The work is intended to be accessible and easily enjoyed by a broad range of service users and providers.
The sculpture is a multimedia piece incorporating Parian China, Coloured Perspex, Stainless Steel and LED Lighting.
Twenty petals sequence in a series of five. Firstly a Parian China slip cast petal is created using nine slip cast sections followed by four coloured Perspex petals all with supporting fins. The five petal series repeats in a quarterly cycle to reflect the changing seasons. 10 x clear solid acrylic rods representing stamen draws applied LED lighting through the internal structure of the sculpture. The stamen tips at the end of the lighting rods are capped with perforated Parian China slip cast pieces. It is hoped the sculpture provides intrigue and joy through the various mediums, applications and light dispersion.
