'Cocoon/Respite' sculpture

Cocoon/Respite emulates a cocoon as seen in nature, delicately and securely affixed and hanging in place. 
  
This sculpture evokes the concepts of protection and shelter.  Respite is valuable and necessary at times.

The base and stand from which the cocoon pod hangs was made with assistance from others.  I needed access to a heavy duty pipe bender, which is a machine capable of securely holding and bending Schedule 40 pipe.  A friend introduced me to the perfect contact, and I came away with accurately bent sections of pipe to weld together into one continuous element.     

Cocoon/Respite is made of steel pipe, with the pod element's rich texture realized through heating and hand hammering.  The sculpture measures 90” tall x 49” wide and 39” deep and weighs 180 pounds.  The pod itself is 54” tall x 24” diameter and weighs 130 pounds.  The entire sculpture is sealed with Permalac, a clear lacquer, to preserve a refined and lustrous appearance.