When Bats become vast
Some Bats have a very communal based structure living together in huge caves and caverns for instance.
I have said previously that I was very unsure after taking the commission whether I would be physically able to make it especially from the outset. Although I was guided by and sensed some unknown trust.
This was a lead in to many fortuitous meetings along the way with extraordinary people far to many to mention in this blog post all of whom have played a pivotal role in helping me mostly with confidence in the Bat. I was invited in the early summer to carve a large root at a country house for festival that happens in Leicestershire each summer.
I met so many wonderful people there such as Ian who invited me and seem to steel my problem away like a thief in the night, ie thinking I couldn’t possibly carve such a huge root without making myself unwell. I carved parts of the huge root and loved every second of it.
Rich was another beautiful human who has been invaluable in so many ways.
He has always been super confident in my ability to carve this huge Bat. But mostly with Rich I could feel he just really loved the whole Bat project and the kind of world building that has gone into this over the past year.
Rich helped render the Bat into 3D cad files after I took the Bat over to him to scan. This enabled him to design a potential 3 meter parts model that we could get printed as a back up if the Woodcarving didnt work out.
This was obviously before Ben stepped in but I absolutely loved the spirit and enthusiasm Rich took on board and the plans he came through with coupled with the engineering were astounding and will no doubt come into play in the future when I foresee vast Bats comming into being all over the world.
I have always dreamed that some of my sculptures would one day become vast megalithic portals to moments of enchantment. I see them as huge 10 meter sculptures walking through plazas, ontop of hills or acting as huge totemic guardians to towns or cities.
Rich has given me not only the confidence to build this enchanted world but also has gone the extra mile to engineer the heart into this dream.
Initial concept and dimension visuals based on Tach’s original drawings. As time went on the style and shape of Black Amber changed and evolved dramatically.
The first initial visual based on Tach’s Original Drawing. As time went on the style and shape of Black Amber changed and evolved dramatically.
Initial visuals for taking Black Amber ‘bigger’ and into broader landscapes and environments. I am still working on ideas for bigger sculptures that sit in the landscape or that are part of ‘public art’ in city environments.