Shine

A gift for graduates or to celebrate special accomplishments... to encourage, support and acknowledge individual strength. "I was sculpting this piece at the time of the Winter Olympics. I was inspired by the strength and perseverance of young female competitors in figure skating, snowboarding, skiing... their confidence exudes with every gesture and movement, literally shining with happiness and pride. We all have the capacity to shine from within, so I wanted this figure to be a reminder of our own inner strength. Shine could be a congratulatory piece for a milestone reached, or a healing piece to show support and belief in someone. I wanted the form to be visually uplifting... a little reminder of personal goals, met. I embellished the surface with gold to suggest inner light and energy." - Susan Lordi. Pieces in the Signature Collection are related by architectural form, distinctive colouring and textural surfaces. Figurines are taller than other Willow Tree figures, more columnar in shape and distinguished by blue ombre effect embellished with gold highlights. This figure includes a gift tag with the sentiment 'You have a radiant inner light'.

Approx. Dimensions: 20.5cmH 10cmW 6.5cmD

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