Unique works by Richard Taylor

PERSONALISED COMMISSIONS

In that virtually all of Richard Taylor’s work is one-off, every piece is by definition unique to its location. However on occasions clients have asked for pieces to be personalised and make specific references to the characters or occupations of friends or family.

‘Crane Sundial’ commissioned by a client as a birthday gift for her husband.

In its bill, the crane holds her husband’s birthstone - an opal. It is the shadow of the opal that is cast across the bird’s breast and outspread wings. The dial was ‘set’ by observing the position of the moving shadow hour by hour in the garden on his birthday, marking each with a stud so that it literally records Husband’s Birthday Mean Time in the specific geographical location of the family home.

‘The Millennial Nesting Box.’ was commissioned by clients for friends who had hosted New Years Eve parties in Edinburgh for many years. The millennial eve party was to be the last. A number of symbols represent the friends various interests; a vine twisted into a treble clef refers to a love of music and wine. Their portraits are carved in relief on either side of the box.

The Green Man with Herbs and Flowers - This drawing was made for a fortieth birthday. The herbs and flowers were selected for their various ancient symbolic meanings.

Those about the Green Man’s head and face represent various attributes. In his crown, Acanthus, Angelica and Coriander symbolise ‘ irrepressible life’, ‘inspiration’, and ‘hidden merit ‘
At his eyes, Valerian represents ‘readiness and clarity of vision’.
In his hair and beard, Sorrel speaks of ‘parental love’, Ivy of constancy and Houseleek of ‘vivacity’.
The Green Man is surrounded by the threats of the world. Tansy for ‘hostile thoughts’, Pansy for ‘sadness’, Bugloss for ‘falsehood’, Sunflower for ‘false riches.’

The whole thing is over-arched by a sprig of Saffron, which says ‘ above all things let there be mirth and merriment’.