Saguaro . . . bonzai in forged steel (Mar 2011)

Our upcoming trip to the southwest prompted this inspiration of the mighty Saguaro cactus. The sculpture is made of forged steel and is treated with a blend of solvent dyes intended to mimic the waxy green covering of the cactus which permits it to reflect the sun’s ray and retain moisture. The exterior of the sculpture is deeply scored with grinder grooves to simulate the vertical ridges running along the sides of the cactus. Hieroglyphs adorn the sides of the sculpture base.  These are intended as reminiscent of the high arid plains and mountains where these cactii are found. (An image of these hieroglyphs is displayed on the website’s header banner this month.)

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