Soar

A gift for graduates or to celebrate special accomplishments... to encourage, support and acknowledge individual strength. "The gesture of the figurine and the bird communicates forward movement... being uplifted, moving onwards; a release of hopes, dreams and spirit; of new beginnings and of endings; in celebration of a life... or in anticipation of a life together. Thie piece could be a way to express best wishes to someone who is taking a new path in life; on a road to recovery from illness or towards self - improvement... A hopeful symbol of peace for military families awaiting the return of their soliders... An expression of sympathy to someone who has lost a loved one. The sentiment refers to the song Turn, Turn, Turn, written by Peter Seeger in 1959, adapted from the Book of Ecclesiastes. In the song, there's a contrast in each example... 'A time to be born/die, plant/reap, laugh/weep' and so on. I like the lyrical, repetitive nature of the phrasing. At significant milestones, we often pause and reflect before moving forward, so 'a time to reflect, a time to soar' semmed like a nice expression for this piece" - Susan Lordi. The figure includes a gift tag with sentiment 'a time to reflect, a time to soar'.

Approx. Dimensions: 13.5cmH 4cmW 7cmD

Willow Tree

Artist Susan Lordi hand carves the original of each Willow Tree sculpture. Using family and friends as models, Susan tries to capture a moment in time, or express a feeling. Pieces are cast from her original carvings, and then individually painted by hand. Softly washed colours, carved and metal accents, and representative icons of nature mark Susan’s work.

Her figures continue to evolve as she identifies emotions so important for us to convey, and renders them in simple, pure gestures. These art forms beautifully express love, closeness, healing, courage, hope…all the emotions of a life well lived.

The name Willow Tree was chosen to symbolise all that is gestural and beckoning. The figures are columnar in design, like a tree, and often carry natural objects or animals as metaphors for human virtues or qualities…rosemary for remembrance, a bird for healing, flowers for beauty. The sculptures are rendered so as to suggest elegance, simplicity, peace and serenity. Forms reveal their expressions through body gestures only…a tilt of the head, placement of the hands, a turn of the body.

Emotions are left to the viewer to discern, which makes them personal and powerful. ‘Willow Tree is not necessarily a likeness, it’s a way of conveying emotion…a reminder of someone we want to keep close, or a memory that we want to touch, or see.

I hope that people can recognise subtle expressions or gestures of those they love, and from that, be able to select pieces that are uniquely meaningful for them.’ Susan Lordi