Took sculpture off bench
and lay down on floor.
Steel Base plate deliberately made
circular with 'spoke' holes
so that sculpture can be rotated
onsite when deciding orientation
on installation.
Painting base with red-oxide to rust proof.

Pieces cut and base welded on.

Cover work in cling-film
to protect it while moving
work onto bench.

I have collected all the holes that I have punched
to make my sculpture. I'm going to keep them and
make some new work with them - it took such a
repetitive effort and time that I feel compelled to make
work that will get the most out of them!

Going to get round to count them
- wonder how many holes I've had to punch...

Next step will be to weld the base onto
sculpture.

Punching holes ready for threading

As I'm cutting the lino into strips and punching holes by hand, I have become very aware of how to space the holes to obtain the folds that I want. I have deliberately cut various widths of strips so that I'm able to choose the pieces to thread - the wider strips can be used to add perceived weight. Referring back to the context of my work - the folds are my metaphor for distraction techniques and how their repetition can be used to provide comfort and escape. The varied widths of folds represent how distraction techniques are not always as effective at different times; the folds will become calmer and smaller to signify comfort. I have chosen to thread the lino on steel ( illude to personal strength or support that you need to find ) and I have bent into organic inspired stems that reach for the sky - as the lino is folded on the stems to represent life and growth. A vital element to the work is that it has an organic aesthetic suggesting growth - that will be enhanced by its outdoor site - and that reaches for the sky.

Starting to take shape.

Cutting linoleum into strips and punching holes
to fold and thread

I've started to experiment with threading
the linoleum folds

Fifth coat of paint on sculpture.
Lay sculpture down whilst applying
final touches.

Back in workshop today. Starting putting coats of white solvent gloss over the base coats of red oxide. This will take about another 2 days - waiting for drying.

Also began cutting linoleum into strips and punching holes.

I have had to consider how I was going to make the holes in the linoleum so that I can thread onto steel. I located set of hole punches that I can use with hammer to punch each hole - this is going to take some time!

Decided I'm going to collect the punched out 'holes'. I've located a foam-backed linoleum that is the same colour front/back/edge. I've started punching some holes - workshop closed over the Easter so I won't be able to continue working on sculpture until tuesday.

I manipulated the steel and trialled different compositions until I was satisfied, then I fixed the pieces in position using wire and string so that I could weld the pieces together - having to think carefully about the best places for the welds that would hold the structure but still allow the sculpture to be threaded. Next I welded bolts into the ends of the tubes to enable me to have a thread that I will be able to use to 'terminate' the stems and hold the threaded material. Next I have given the steel 2 coats of red-oxide paint to weatherproof the steel.

Began by working with material - having decided to scale sculpture up after visiting steel works I selected to use steel tube rather than bar which I can get in 6 metre lengths.
I ordered 6 x 6m steel tube lengths and had them delivered to the workshop. I have located a pipe bending machine that I am going to use to manipulate the steel into organic shapes.

This is a great machine that enables me to adjust the curve and move/rotate the steel as it is guided through to produce the shapes I wanted.

Sketching ideas