Dreamcatcher in Winnipeg
Ξ July 8th, 2009 | → | ∇ Sculpture |
Dreamcatcher 2009
This sculpture was completed on June 28th 2009. It is in the new garden at Marymound School in Winnipeg at 422 Scotia St. east of Main St.
This piece was commissioned by Marymound after an initial meeting in Sept. 2008. The original draft for the concept was done by one of the staff members of the school. I researched the importance and significance of the dreamcatcher to the aboriginal people. It was my intention to make a significant visual impact with this piece for the front of the school in the area of their new garden. The size of the piece is 10′ diameter and is fabricated from steel tubing of various dimensions. The central logo was plasma cut from 3/8″ plate steel and all was welded together by an amazing welder friend of mine who chooses not to be named.
Once the piece was completely welded it was then powder coated in a hammered bronze look (outside ring) and metallic silver (web and logo) by Quick Coatings on De Vos Rd. Winnipeg.
The beads in the webbing are limestone and granite rocks that were core drilled by Larsen Memorials and I split them with a cold chisel and hammer. They were then epoxied back together upon the dreamcatcher. I like the contrast between the rock and the steel. The natural stones also add a nice finish to the piece.
The base is bolted directly to the concrete slab and then I used mesh and steel bar to create an armature to apply concrete and then paint to look like a rock emerging from the sidewalk. This addition also stablizes the piece as well.
My client is very happy with the finished product and I am proud to add this piece to my portfolio.
If you are in the area drop by to see the Dreamcatcher.
on July 8th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
Andrew ! Your Dreamcatcher is beautiful. Beautifully done. you are so right….the rock and steel make it perfect. Everyone at Marymound must be thrilled.
i intend to drive over and see it one day. I, of course, heard of your project from ‘Grant Design’. COngratulations on your commission for this work. The best, as usual. Calverley in Winnipeg.
on July 9th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Hi Andrew,
I’ve been by to check out your sculpture. Very, very nice.
One of the definitions of a dream catcher is that hung above the bed, it is used as a charm to protect sleeping children from nightmares.
The Ojibwa believe that a dreamcatcher changes a person’s dreams. According to Terri J. Andrews, “Only good dreams would be allowed to filter through . . . Bad dreams would stay in the net, disappearing with the light of day.”[4] Good dreams would pass through and slide down the feathers to the sleeper.
How appropriate that the dream catcher be symbol for Marymound.
on July 9th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
wow, really impressive.