Caught on the wire

I'm currently working on a number of new leaf inspired pieces for a couple of exhibitions-art prize competitions.  When we were in NYC Fiona and I were walking though a park in Brooklyn and were both captivated by the leaves that were piled against the park fence and the leaves caught in the fence wire.

Fiona Dempster © Leaves on the fence - Brooklyn NY

That experience inspired me to create a piece that incorporated only those two elements: wire and leaves. The piece I have made is called Caught on the wire. It is about 2m high by about 1m wide. The wire (courtesy of Caroline) is crumpled in places to give a 3D effect. The leaves appear to be caught in these crumpled areas. The crumpled wire and leaves create some nice subtle shadows as well.

Barry Smith © Caught on the wire

Fiona Dempster © Caught on the wire - side perspective

The temptation was to put masses of leaves on the piece but that is not how it happens in nature - there is quite a lot of negative space - so this work has quite a lot of negative space. The close-ups below of sections show that sometimes a line of leaves can be caught; and at other times just one of two leaves.

Barry Smith © Flow of leaves 

Barry Smith © Pocket of caught leaves

Barry Smith © Leaves in suspension

Fiona Dempster © The outrider leaf

Fiona Dempster © A quiet statement

All the leaves are fold formed from recycled anodised aluminium from found and donated saucepan lids and cake tins. The leaves are tied to the wire frame with light 'silver' coated wire.

And now we are off to celebrate Fiona's birthday at a local restaurant - great end to a Friday.