LION 7a

	LIONESS May 2012 Denizli, Turkey
	LIONESS and LION 7a These two Lion Sculptures are Gateway Guardians. They warn and protect all who wish to enter. The LIONESS has a place for a human Guard to sit. The base is a small room in which to sit and a window to inspect entrants from, to sell tickets from, inspect papers, give information...it provides employment. This theme of allowing a Sculpture to have a functional use is an idea I've been working with for the last 20 years. My Sculpture is about survival. What is needed to survive: food, shelter and a way to make a living. A pair of Lions at an entrance is an ancient motif. Perhaps Komurguolo Mermer will use them as an entranceway to their Sculpture Garden.


Noon May 30, 2012	Interior	Door
	L I O N 7 a
Final drawing for Lion	A Sculpture Made During Heykel Kolonisi 1st International Sculpture Colony at Komurcuoglu Mermer Denizli, Turkey June 12 - July 12, 2011	Early Ideas for Lion
A month or so before the Colony was to start. Mr. Komurcuoglu offered me the opportunity to make a sculpture at his factory out of Travertine from his quarries. After many drawings we agreed on Lion 7a. Hence the title. I was excited at the opportunity as I had not worked in stone before. The attitude of Lion 7a is one of imminent action. The Lion is about to attack. He is cornered for the moment. His tail is in a position of confidence. He is issuing a warning roar, baring his teeth and claws.	I attempted to be honest with the travertine. To leave the tool marks and saw cut shadows. There remains a faint grid I applied to transfer the image to the stone is reminiscent of grids found in ancient tombs of the sculptors rules of proportion. The stainless steel pins holding the legs are not hidden. The simple force and majesty of the huge base blocks are not tampered with, not decorated. They are elemental.	As these marks fade with weather and time the bronze teeth will turn green and the steel claws will rust leaving blood-like stains on the stone. Being in Turkey was enjoyable and the people at the factory and my fellow sculptors became friends. It was difficult for Mr. Komurcuoglu's employees as they were to help us as well as do their regular jobs. They helped us a great deal. The Sculptors helped me with my few words of Turkish and with the stone itself. I thank them all. Cok tesekkur ederim.

Drilling for Stainless Steel pins		Special Lifting Hook for Assembly