Phil Taylor, Iris Testa/Rainbow Shell (ART, OBJECTS 2022)

Photos:

Phil Taylor

Shell form sculpture made using recycled and reclaimed timbers; Totara, Kauri, Oregon, Rewa Rewa and Japanese Cedar. Danish Oil finish. Using my own technique of cutting, laminating and shaping I create various types of spiral/shell sculptures. The many different angles of cut and grading of sanding allows the grain of each timber variety to absorb varying amounts of the Danish oil allowing the light to reflect and reveal the varied grains in a multitude of ways. Low grit P180 gives areas a coarse/weathered look and texture, while high grit P400 bring out the depth of grain and glint of a finer finish. This deliberate sanding adds to the use of different densities of timber, the distinct variation of seasonal growth in Oregon, the changing colours of Japanese Cedar at wood matures, gold flecked sparkle of Kauri, cross grained patterning of Rewa Rewa, and the contrast between dark end grain and finer red/brown tones of long grain in Totara. Togethers with the spiral shell-like shape, the observer is drawn in, almost wanting to pick it up and examine it from all angles. To me, it looks like a fossil that was found exposed in the cliff face strata along a costal beach, a relic of a creature from a long-forgotten ocean. For others it sparks the imagination if different directions.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.