ELEMENTAL COMMISSION

ROYAL COLLEGE OF OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNAECOLOGISTS (RCOG)

Two words: A captivating and complex commission!

My design was selected and commissioned by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in London to create a large mosaic mural to symbolise their institution and their vital work throughout the world. The winning design had to not only represent the institution and their achievement, but it also needed to feature an easy mechanism allowing the RCOG to add new patrons’ names at any time without the intervention of the artist.

Science and symbolism

I decided to concentrate my thoughts around the circle which symbolises for me, the harmonious wholeness that gives life to everything.

It represents Life at a microscopic scale with the atom, the human scale with the embryo and at the macroscopic scale with the planets and the suns pollinating the universe. 

The circle is everywhere and in everything and exists since the beginning of life.

Representation

The design I submitted represents the arrival of life propelled out before our eyes using two main references; the Big Bang (source of all lives) and the pregnancy wheel card (used extensively throughout the world by obstetricians and gynaecologists).

No other shape represents better the concept of Birth and the cycle of Life.

And… “Elemental” was born!

Dimensions: Elemental is 150 cm in diameter.

Material: Stained glass, dichroic fused glass, 24 carat gold Venetian tiles, Perspex

Year: 2017

Photo credit: Simon Martner