The sculpture making is underway, with the planning permission in and all system go it’s a very exciting time.
The metal work is being created by local firm HTF Stainless whom I have been working very closely with over the last six months to get the design, size, shape and materials for the sculpture looking just right. One of the things I like about working with these guys is seeing your design inputted in a design program on the computer and then being able to take a virtual walk around, zoom in to it, even look at the sculpture from above. Alterations to the sculpture seem almost instant and much easier to visualise your thoughts and ideas. Watch this space for updates, images and more.
The stone plinth from Stancliff Stone, is also being sourced locally from a Derbyshire quarry in the Hope Valley, the stone will be Derbyshire Sandstone, which is a lovely rich buff colour with a soft tactile texture. It will feature natural faces on the sides to enhance the naturalness of the material. The only visible alteration to the stone will be a single cut to the top to ensure the metal sculpture can sit upon it. I so enjoyed my visit to the quarry last year taking a look at all the huge sections of stone and it was then that I came across the section that is going to be used for the sculpture, it had a great natural face to all sides with very little signs of the quarrying process and was the perfect size. After speaking to the foreman, he informed me that very few sections come from the quarry without cut marks, so I was very lucky to find the section of stone that I needed.
The site for the sculpture in Heanor is being prepared with new paving going in as I type, every time I drive past I get a smile appear on my face knowing that soon I will be placing my sculpture there.