INSPIRATION

 
Magnolia Trees, icons of Spring are an ancient species symbolising dignity and nobility. In ancient China, magnolias were thought to be the perfect symbols of womanly beauty and gentleness. The large leaves are noted for their beautiful form, simple and broadly ovate.
The strong dramatic shape works incredibly well with this piece of Kinetic Sculpture, catching the wind perfectly, rising and falling with a graceful, composed movement.
 

VARIATION

 
The Magnolia Leaves are made from 2mm aluminium sheet and can be left simple with facets ground into the surface of the aluminium which will reflect the light in an almost holographic way, causing the light to dance on the surface.

It is also possible to add colour to the leaves as seen here, carefully chosen by my clients who opted for a beautiful Poppy red and a grey blue on one side of two separate leaves. Colour is a wonderful way to really make the piece bespoke.
 

There are various possibilities concerning shape, height and finish when designing the Sculpture plinths. The two materials I usually work with to create the plinths are Weathering Steel and Galvanised/Mordent finished Steel, both incredibly durable.

Weathering Steel (cor-ten) is a steel alloy which does not require painting and acquires a stable, rust-like appearance over time. It’s surface has a matt textured finish with a wonderful depth of colour which changes from a light orange to a deep purple over the decades.

Galvanised Steel with a mordent finish leaves a soft textured matt surface with a wonderfully interesting pewter/lead colouring that will darken when wet.