Angels and Insects

I've titled my latest sculpture 'Metamorphosis'.  It's loosely based on Gregor Samsa, the character in Kafka's story 'The Transformation'.  Gregor is unable to cope with the hustle and bustle of modernity and wakes one morning to find himself transformed into a monstrous insect.  In many ways this sculptural piece is not unlike my gentle-looking 'bird' people.  I wanted to convey the transformation of human to insect with a sense of dignity and grace without the Kafka-esque monstrosity.  I must be in a literary frame of mind because I've taken the title of this blog from my favourite author, A.S. Byatt.  Her novel Angels and Insects is also about transformation and incidentally has been made into a beautiful film. 

For many years at this time of year I've sent an angel to my sister-in-law who lives overseas.  She must have quite a collection by now.  Usually they are made of materials that are unbreakable and light enough to post:  fabric, wood or  metal.  It's always a challenge to find something different.  This year, I've decided to make my own.  This little angel is made of balsa wood.  Although the concept is not original, I've made this one to reflect my love of birds and, yes, red shoes.