Fragile Connection

Fragile Connection was created for the third annual exhibition at the Caol Ruadh Sculpture Park in Argyll that ran between May and September 2014.

The beautiful house and gardens of Caol Ruadh lie on a bed of metamorphosed sedimentary rock, mainly Dalradian, formed during the Precambrian period. Now, some 540 million years later, there's a rich diversity of fauna and flora blanketing the entire area, stretching down to the shoreline of the Kyles of Bute.

The idea for Fragile Connection came from the rocky outcrops which dot the landscape near the small apple house not far from the waterline. Walking amongst the moss and grass covered boulders it's noticeable just how thin this plant covering on the rocks really is; in places having been torn from the underlying rock revealing bony-white gaps. Such is the fragile connection between the earth’s oldest and youngest materials.

Fragile Connection is a reminder of this fragility, the fine balance that exists across the earth’s ecosystems and the possible outcome were this equilibrium to be lost.

The three steel rock sculptures making up Fragile Connection are constructed from Corten steel, a steel alloy whose chemical composition gives it increased resistance to atmospheric corrosion and is therefore well suited for outdoor sculpture. When exposed to the elements it very quickly develops a rusty, oxidised surface protecting the metal beneath.

Fragile Connection is currently on loan to Fauhope Country House near Melrose in the Scottish Borders.

Materials – Corten steel