Twilight Rapture is one of my limited edition representational wall sculptures, crafted in steel, patinated copper. During the design process I draw on ancient animistic depictions and the fantastical beasts of the medieval bestiary and heraldic device. While capturing the gestural, curvilinea form of animals in suspended dynamic motion I reflect totemic archetypes, ideals and aspirations.
Setting the scene
I designed Twilight Rapture to celebrate the relationship of a couple who’s totem animals were owl and an eagle. So as the two apex hunters of the night and day, meet for a split second in a mid-air dance and lock an intense gaze, they embody and reflect the spirit and strength of the couple’s bond.
Having drawn influence from I suspended the whirling motion of the birds of prey in fluid, curvilinea form. To maintain compositional balance and avian equality, I subsequently rotated the larger eagle slightly below the owl.
Twilight Rapture symbolism
Twilight Rapture taps into a rich vein of symbolism. Given that the eagle, which traditionally represents the masculine principle of the day, honours the owl, representing the feminine night, as her hunt commences. I also like to think that she greets the waning patriarchal order.
In addition, the sculpture could be said to allude to the cycle of life: the transition of light into darkness; consciousness into unconsciousness; life to death. Personally, I have always cherished the heightened creativity of the night-time and struggle to understood the death taboo in the West.
Materials
Both totemic raptors, the courageous eagle and wise owl, have feathers of copper representing light and lead, darkness. Aptly, the owl is predominantly lead and the eagle copper.
