What's my favourite sculpture and why?

This is such an interesting question—and honestly, it’s not something I’d thought much about before! Usually, I feel most connected to the piece I’ve just completed, but when I look back at my body of work, a few pieces stand out for different reasons. Here’s a look at some of the pieces that hold special meaning for me.

Complex geometric pattern almost like a flower with a centre point carved into dark grey welsh slate. The carved areas catch the shadows and are a lighter grey colour

Flourish: A Milestone in Slate

One of my favourites is Flourish, my first large carving in slate. Finishing this piece was a huge accomplishment in itself, but there’s also something special about the design—it has a balance and harmony that I find incredibly satisfying. The slate itself was a pleasure to carve, making the entire experience deeply positive. In a way, Flourish represents a milestone in both skill and connection to the material.

The art piece "Breath" by Zoë Wilson Sculpture features a sphere in black and white, composed of intricate, overlapping circular and curved patterns. It evokes the appearance of hand-carved Welsh slate, creating a three-dimensional effect against a dark background.

Breath and Pyramids: Early Explorations in Geometry

Another two favourites are Breath and Pyramids, which were created early in my journey with geometric patterns. They mark the beginning of my fascination with intricate designs. I only recently sold Pyramids, after holding onto it for a little while so I could enjoy it myself. Sometimes a piece feels so special that I’m not ready to let go right away!

Complex circular geometric pattern carved in to a buff coloured stone. There's a plaint white background

Vitality: The Joy of Complexity

Then there’s Vitality, carved in Portland limestone and the most complex pattern I’ve attempted in that material. I find this design incredibly pleasing, and for a long time, I wasn’t ready to part with it. Now that I’ve created a few more pieces to fall in love with, I’m beginning to feel it might be time for someone else to enjoy Vitality as much as I do.

The Nexus by Zoë Wilson Sculpture is a spherical limestone bowl featuring a tilted opening, elegantly resting on a coiled rope base against a plain white background. Its textured surface, crafted using traditional hand carving techniques, conveys a rough, natural charm.

Nexus: Simplicity That Challenges

When it comes to my spherical carvings, Nexus will always be close to my heart. It may seem simple, but it’s deceptively challenging. Carving a large cone with a consistent angle is technically demanding—especially since even a tiny error is noticeable in a single circle. With complex patterns, the eye can forgive small flaws, but with Nexus, precision is everything. It’s a reminder of the discipline and patience this craft demands.

Buff coloured stone sphere with a geometric pattern carved all over. plain white background

Synergy: A True Breakthrough

Finally, there’s Synergy, a piece that brought together many aspects of my learning. This one was physically challenging but also marked a breakthrough in my understanding of carving across surfaces. It was inspired by a new technique I’d developed for linking surfaces, and also by a commission for Canford School. The ideas and techniques behind Synergy make it feel like a culmination of my artistic growth.

Realising How Much I Love My Work

So, what’s my favourite? I think I’ve realised, and maybe you have too, that I love so many of my carvings for different reasons. It’s hard to choose just one, but these pieces are all special to me in their own way. I’d be a poor saleswoman if I told you which pieces I think are less successful, but maybe that would have been the easier question to answer!

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