Torcheu

Photo by Kevin Belanger

 

Torcheu (Michif for turtle) -2022 

A giant turtle emerges from the rockbed carrying a community of connected smaller turtles on its back. Each one with a different back-lit natural onyx stone mosaic representing diversity and the various classes of life we share our planet with. The sun (not humans) is at the centre and this arrangement echoes the indigenous perspective that prompts us to work with nature rather than trying to have dominance over it.

 

Photo by Kevin Belanger

The natural stone mosaics are held together with an epoxy resin and supported by a dark powder-coated aluminium frame, a merging of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology.

 

A View from the outside. Photo by Kevin Belanger

 

Here is a photo of the completed piece in my shop for scale. It also shows the translucency better.

Scroll down for more info on how this was created.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proposal visualization. We decided to change the position of the turtle to have her face inside.

 

A 1/10th scale model was cut out as a test.

 

Aluminum cut out, sanded and ready for welding. The plywood jigs helped with alignment and deformation.

 

A professional welding the base.

 

Ready for powder coating.

 

Sorting the tiles by tone.

 

Creating the individual mosaics. Each tile was hand cut for these.

 

A special oval bowl shape was used to solidify the mosaics into turtle shells with epoxy resin.

 

An artist’s  proof was done to make sure everything was going to fit.

 

Close-up of the translucent onyx stone and texture.

 

Each turtle had a different motif around their shell.

 

Final assembly used hundreds of stainless steel screws. All were hidden on the backside and powder coated like the aluminum.

 

 

Installed after a cross country drive!

Special thanks to Alana, Keegan, Drew, Tenessa, Mike, Emmet, Rudy and KPC for all their help.

Completion Date: November 5, 2022
Dimensions: 7’4” high x 5’ wide x 1’ thick
Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada
Medium: Aluminum, Onyx Stone, Resin, Stainless Steel
Weight: 200 lb