Convergence - New public sculpture project for Benburb

While William Conor is slowly being 'beefed up' with layers of plaster, the Convergence project for Benburb, Co. Tyrone is developing fast. The work is based on the local linen beetling mill on the River Blackwater and is a metaphor for individual members of the community coming together. Standing nearly four meters tall, the two parts of the work form a landmark gateway in the village. Nick has spent the last month welding individual bronze 'beetles' and completing the internal stainless steel structure while I was forming the fronts by repoussé - alternating annealing and beating of the 2mm gilding metal sheet. This creates a drapery and water effect on the front of the work. For more information visit the Facebook project page.

 

Maquette for Convergence

Line-up of front 'draped' faces

Line-up of front 'draped' faces

Nearly finished: nine of the ten faces are welded on...

Annealing the bronze sheet for repoussé

Concept drawing for Convergence

Concept drawing for Convergence

Concept drawing

Concept drawing

Nick is fitting the repoussé faces to the main structure

Nick is fitting the repoussé faces to the main structure