A World First - Platinum wire Mandela sculpture revealed
Created from platinum wire using an intricate laser-welding technique, a state-of-the-art sculpture of the former South African leader has been revealed by renowned jewellery artist Tom Rucker to celebrate Nelson Mandela International Day.
On a trip to South Africa in 2009, jewellery designer Tom Rucker was
inspired by children in Khayelitsha Township to create a bust of Nelson Mandela.
Rucker had been searching for a subject who had significantly influenced world
history. The idea came to him in South Africa when he asked a
group of children who their hero was. Expecting the children to respond with
names of footballers, Rucker was deeply moved when the group shouted out one
name, ‘Nelson Mandela’.
Rucker comments that ‘Nelson Mandela has inspired millions of people
in the world to live together in peace and freedom. He has
dedicated his entire life through his active involvement in resolving conflicts,
promoting human rights and in addressing racial issues’.
Rucker’s idea of creating a life-sized, three-dimensional sculpture
of a head and face came earlier in the year when he came across a Time magazine
cover featuring the visionary architect Buckminster Fuller’s head in a geodesic
structure.
The unique structure of the piece is inspired by visionary architect
Buckminster Fuller’s Geodesic Dome in Montreal. Rucker has worked for a number
of years perfecting an intricate laser-welding technique to create similarly
hollow and light but very strong jewellery pieces using platinum wire, because
of the metal’s strength and durability.
Rucker uses a laser beam to fuse segments with intense heat. Working
under a microscope Rucker was able to work without any computer programme to
create the face of Mandela. An amazing 1.9 million laser spots were used to
create the piece.
The back of the head is made from white biscuit porcelain and the
sculpture features eyes set with black diamonds. The artist explains his choice
of black and white as symbolising the absence of any one colour, ‘Mandela stands
not just for one colour so I have deliberately used black and white which sit
outside of the colour spectrum to represent Mandela’s vision of
unity’.
The sculpture is due to be revealed by Helen Zille, Premier of the
Western Cape at the International Conference Centre at the Waterfront in Cape
Town on 18th July. Tom will give talks on his work and
the piece in colleges and universities within the week.
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About Tom Rucker
Tom was born in 1970 in Munich, Germany, the 4th generation of a
well-established Goldsmiths’ family. Following in the footsteps of his Master
Goldsmith father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he started an
apprenticeship at the School of Jewellery at Munich’s Luisenschule, graduating
as a goldsmith in 1991.
After a series of special advanced courses at several international
institutes, he received additional qualifications as a gemologist and diamond
expert. In 1995 he was awarded a masters degree from the renowned HBZ in Muenster.
Following his interest in state of the art jewellery manufacturing
techniques, in 1995 Tom invested in one of the first laser welding machines on the market
specially designed for the jewellery trade. Soon he earned international recognition on his
field which brought him to the UK in the late 90s.
In 1997 Tom set up a course in Creative Laser Welding Techniques for
Birmingham’s City University, Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, the first of
its kind, and was the pioneer in the UK to introduce this technique to the jewellery trade.
For nearly 10 years he has taught his specialized skills to many students and
established jewellery designers.
Since 2006 Tom has based his business in the UK. He mainly works in
platinum, alongside 18 carat yellow gold, combined with rare coloured precious
stones and diamonds. Tom has received many awards in the last few years for his unique
designs and innovative ideas.
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