May 2007

A collaboration with artist Onya MacCausland to produce a work to improve an underpass involving the community in Erith.

Designed following workshops with local schools, young people and adults, the inspiration for this project comes from the geological formations that have made Erith over thousands and millions of years. Looking back means looking deep into the earth’s core and discovering these layers of history in the rock formations.

Each piece takes the form of a geological core pulled from the earth. The cores stand as if pulled directly from the earth.

As each core ascends the layers change .

Metal rings

Working with professional fabricators the metal elements of the columns consist of a variety of metals chosen for their durability and colour and textural quality, from heavy rusted Corten to highly polished stainless steel.

Mosaic rings

The mosaic rings are constructed from Venetian smalti. These high quality lead glass blocks are hand made in the traditional manner of the great Venetian glass makers, almost unchanged since they produced the glass mosaics for St Mark’s in Venice. The tiles are completely inert, fully frost proof and colour fast an are available in an immense array of rich and beautiful colours.

The glass blocks are hand cut and laid in intricate patterns of flowing lines and forms known as ‘Opus Vermiculatum’

see the other Erith Mosaic Sculpture

Pupils at Northumberland Park School create a mural with Gary working on the Earth Core theme.

Primary School pupils working at Trinity School in Erith on their paintings derived from fossil models.