Vortex — Standing Sculpture

Vortex is a pair of steel ribbons that rise from a narrow rectangular base, cross low above it and unwind upward in wide, counter-turning arcs. The ribbon changes width along its length — from a thin, almost drawn line at the bottom to a broad plane at the top — so the form reads at times as a line and at times as a surface, depending on the angle of view. The matte black finish, with the grain of the grinding still visible, absorbs light and sharpens the contour, while the voids inside the spiral become as much a part of the composition as the metal itself.

The sculpture is handmade — the ribbons cut, hot-formed, welded and finished individually, with no serial production involved. The twist of the arcs, the taper of the ribbon and the surface texture all depend on the work of the tool, so no piece ever repeats the last exactly — a natural quality of handcrafted work. The form is at its best against a pale wall or in raked light: on a console, sideboard or desk, or on a plinth in a spacious interior, where it casts a bold, shifting shadow.