The Hawaiian Green Turtle

These unique hand made sculptures are derived from a geometry between the hexagon and the square to create the shell of the Hawaiian Green Turtle. Serendipitously, the resulting geometry has the perfect openings for the wooden head and limbs to be placed. Only local Hawaiian woods such as koa, mango, milo, mac-nut and lychee are used.

The Hawaiian green turtle is an important symbol in the mythology of Hawaiian culture.

The Honu is a Hawaiian symbol of creation, longevity, peace and the spirit within.

In Chinese mythology, the sea turtle also represents wisdom. The shell of the turtle is said to have the markings of heaven and earth upon it. It is also said that the Turtle had risen from the depths with the markings of the eight trigrams on its back. These are used in the I Ching and the Bagwa.

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The sea turtle mirrors the health of our planet and the struggle for survival for these ancient creatures is in our own hands.

"Nanosphere"

Yang Nanosphere

Ying Nanosphere

“The Nanosphere.”Sculptured by R.L.J.Burdon.

My current body of work focuses on hexagonality.

This is one of many spatial studies to be undertaken.

The inspiration behind my artwork is a unique set of three matrices that I serendipitously discovered. 
By following natural forms of geometric symmetry and proportion, I try to manifest geometric flowing architectures that reflect the elegance of our beautiful macro/micro world.

Crafted from copper sheet entirely by hand, this totally unique design is based on a geometric relationship between the hexagon and the square to create this double layered sphere.

The metaphysical properties of Copper.

Copper has the power to heal the mind and body based on the metal’s energy conducting properties. Copper can stimulate the flow of energy and hence move psychic or mental energies thereby helping the immediate environment to overcome lethargic tendencies, resulting in more vitalized and amplified thought processing. This energy vibration of copper is well known for its healing and transforming properties.

This newly discovered geometry connects both the inner and outer spheres together creating a subtle potential energy matrix.

The matrix having two different surface architectures allow either a Yin or a Yang type surface.

The geometry of the matrix allow the sphere to expand by approximately 15% in diameter.
more pictures

Workshop

Tools Required.

Swivel head shears, Drill, Files, Hammers, Clamps, Propane torch.

• Materials.

24 gauge copper sheet, solder, flux, wire wool, contact adhesive, acetone.

• Cutting.

Cut out 1 blank approx 10” x 12” from copper sheet.

• Drilling.

Sandwich the copper blank between the 2 pieces of the drill guiding jig. Drill out 78 qty 1/8” holes. The jig places these holes 1” apart. The overall pattern delineates a snowflake design.

• Chiseling.
Using a 1” width chisel the snowflake pattern is cut out from the blank.

• Cleaning.

The pattern must be cleansed of all greases and oils in acetone prior to the gluing and forming process .

• Gluing.

Hexagonal cross sectioned forming dies are glued using contact adhesive to both sides of the pattern.

Forming.

Using hand applied pressure and manipulation the pattern is concertina folded in upon the forming dies.

• Cleaning.

The Forming Dies must be removed by a prolonged soak in thinners.
Contact adhesive and residues are also removed in prep for soldering.
Surfaces to be tinned are cleaned with wire wool prior to fluxing.

• Fabrication

These patterns are now tinned and soldered to each other to form a sphere

• Fettling.

The sphere is cleaned of excess solder and all edges are fettled and smoothed

• Patina.

The sculpture can be given a variety of different patinas ranging from iridescent blue to shimmering green using different chemical washes and varying heat treatments.

Posted by Bob Burdon at 5:38 AM

The Satkona Yantra

A new and yet again innovative matrix design utilizing triangles and squares allows the sculptor to create a mandala symbol called satkona yantra or sadkona yantra found on ancient South Indian Hindu temples built thousands of years ago. It symbolizes the Nara-Narayana, or perfect meditative state of balance achieved between Man and God, and if maintained, results in "Moksha," or "Nirvana" (release from the bounds of the earthly world and its material trappings).
A Yantra is meditational device used in Hindu and Tibetan Tantric meditation.
From the root "yam," meaning "to sustain," the Yantra is a symbolic image used to maintain a focused state during meditation. A Yantra is usually composed of an outer geometrical form enclosing an interior geometrical design. Each particular design is used for a specific purpose or intent.
Some of the basic elements of a Yantra are:
Ø The Bindu, or infinite point.
Ø Upward and downward facing triangles, symbolizing a female, watery energy, and male, fiery cosmic energy.
Ø A hexagram or six pointed star (satkona), symbolizing the union of Shiva and Shakti, masculine and feminine energy.