East of the Sun West of the Moon

Swifts, migration, music, mysteries of lunar orbits, Folk tales, and Life  and Love

the themes intertwining and interconnecting in the sculpture installation of bronze, stone, wood, and golden crescent…

East of the Sun and West of the Moon

From concept through design – Swifts in flight, and the movement of the celestial spheres …

Selected and Featured in the Summer Exhibition at Beaulieu 2023.

Bronze Swifts are set on a bronze crescent moon and a golden crescent sun, a slate stone base on an oak post.

They celebrate the wondrous journeys of the amazing Swifts and all the mystery of the motion of the orbs, of time and creation.

Swifts (Apus apus) fly from South Africa and across the Sahara to reach our northern lands in order to find nest spaces and raise their next generation. They are loyal to their nest sites and mates and return year after year. Flying at great heights and speeds and only ever landing to nest !

They need our help and conservation and provision of  suitable nest sites in our rooves and buildings. You can add nest boxes to your own buildings and help …and hear the sounds of Swifts on the wing for the next generation.

Here the words of the poem by the Sculptress JOEL that are a response to the themes and  part of the creative expression of this new work.

These words have been set to music by the American composer Karen Silvernail.

I have existence in the strands of love
that sing of dreams
and hope of home above
                               yes of love dear

I am mysteries of motion 
and sunlight bright reflection
Stories from folly to wisdom
                          and hope dear

I am of journey, long and rare
of suffering and care
Destination to build  a dream house
                 of love my dear

Swift across your skies
and faithful come
to build the house of love dear

Can you catch the moment
East of the Sun 
West of the Moon
Love found
in looking 
and giving
and looking and loving  dear

East of the Sun and West of the Moon

First photography sessions in the garden

I love the way this sculptural installation looks different on different days and in other locations

There are several versions of folk tales with castles set East of the Sun and West of the Moon and the story of love, journey to rescue and the rewards of kindness and faithfulness. The refrain has also inspired a song set to jazz music of the last century.

Inspired by how creatures, themes and mysteries intertwine and start new stories and experiences. I hope you enjoy encountering and pondering life and Swift East of the Sun West of the Moon.

And here a video of Swifts in flight, with the Swift Home – Bronze Swift and Bronze young Swift… and the lovely rendition of the song – Swifts East of the Sun and West of the Moon. You can see many views of the Sculpture installation – Swifts East of the Sun and West of the Moon  including a glimpse of Sculptress!

Let me know if you would like a copy of the music.

First sight of the completed sculpture of these amazing birds -an  excited and breathless artist having first collected the Sculpture from the foundry – describing some of the details of the artwork.