- found art wall sculpture – bone, clockwork, glass
Relic – a found object and recycled art plate is based on the idea of religious relics. Bones of saints were often kept inside churches, preserved and worshipped, tokens of powerful healing, signifiers of the spiritual nature, objects of passion.
Central in the piece, Relic, is the bone of an animal place upon a bed of rusted metal. The piece can be interpreted in 3 sections. Topmost we find the industrial “heaven” where a propellor “drives” the gear below. This large gear was taken from a clock I dismantled. The central section has the Relic. In this industrial detrius world the bone of an animal (hip bone of a mink I believe) has taken on a religious signifigance – everything else is metal, scrap, and hard. The bone is a reminder of the Natural World.
At the bottom is the “church” of technology. A brass plate forms the central section, and two spires flank each side. The Rose Window – is windshield glass taken from the streets and mounted. Behind it is a very rare watch movement made of copper. I have taken apart hundreds of watches for my steampunk jewelry – but I have only ever found 3 copper movements. This is the inner heart of the “church” – a special movement – indicator of technology – and yet relic of the past. We no longer manufacture such movements – only expensive watches are now driven by mechanical, steel and brass workings.
Relic is part of the series of “wall sculptures” – these are on these fantastic ceramic tiles that someone threw out here in Toronto. No new parts were used in this – bits and fragments were taken from various machines. I carried home 6 of these wonderful tiles – and my hands ached for days afterwards – it was the middle of summer and the weight of them was difficult.