Iron Dome

Nash is best known for his wood sculptures but has recently been developing some of these forms into cast-iron, steel and bronze works. Iron Dome, adjacent to the Nash Conservatory near Main Gate, is one such piece.

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 Casting Iron Dome in China 

 
 

Date and material

  • 2009
  • Cast iron
Photo: Slate mines in North Wales
Welsh slate mines in winter (Photo by David Nash)

Making Iron Dome

Iron Dome was made in China and is one of two versions - the other stayed at the Shanghai Sculpture Park. Each of its simple 'hump' forms has been cast in iron from a unique original and placed together to make a monumental dome.

Initially the shapes were cut in polystyrene with a hot wire, rather than wood, because this material translates very well into iron.

When assembled, the iron pieces are placed in four circles of different sizes. They are positioned here on slate because each would sink if placed directly onto the grass; the skirt of grey-blue slate also works well against the rust colouring. It comes from Blaenau Ffestiniog - the Welsh town where Nash lives and works.

Mountains near Guilin
Mountains near Guilin, China (Photo by David Nash)

Experiencing the Chinese landscape

When Nash visited China to make Iron Dome he realised that the distinctive, mountainous landscape near Guilin mirrored the sculpture he was making.

Nash says he has always been very attracted to traditional Chinese landscape paintings and realised that what he had thought were exaggerated vertical mountains were actually accurate representations. He drew the mountains in charcoal and used his finger to paint with mud from a water buffalo wallowing hole. This completed the Chinese experience for him, making the work even more relevant to his host country.

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