Metal Bonsai
Design with distinction
Tomas is known for his exceptional craft and delivery of metal bonsai and wire bonsai trees.
Bonsai 1: Balance
Dimensions: with tray and stand approximately 3.5’W x 5.5’ x 3’
Materials: mild steel and copper
Inspiration: The first in the series, Bonsai 1 focuses on asymmetrical balance. Life is an asymmetrical experience. We are asymetircal, but that does not mean we can not remain in balance.
Viewed from all sides, this bonsai exemplifies the bonsai principle regarding the shape: symbolizing the earth (the lowest point), man (the middle point) and Heaven (the leaf canopy).
Focusing on balance restores health and wellbeing. Installed in a healing garden, or backyard landscape, this sculpture provides an opportunity to pause for a moment to consider balance, or rebalance.
Bonsai 1 looks beautiful when covered in snow and the leaves move slightly in the breeze. Tray media can be any landscape material to match surroundings. People viewing this bonsai say that it brings a peaceful feeling and encourages introspection/meditation.
Bonsai 2: Strong Wind
Dimensions: approximately 3’W x 2’H x 1.5’D
Materials: mild steel and copper
Inspiration: Strong Breeze- Some people have harder lives than others. Life can be filled with setbacks, circumstances and challenges. This sculpture explores a life with a constant strong wind affecting its growth. Branches, some dead and broken off, lean hard but flourish with circular leaf structures. One of the more stylized bonsai, the guiding principles include having a natural look and remaining in balance.
Bonsai 3: Tough Stuff
Dimensions: 2’W x 3.5’H x 1.5’D
Materials: mild steel and copper
Bonsai 3: Tough Stuff- continues to explore the idea that a metal bonsai could represent the life of a human being. Just as a branch, truck or root is shaped by its surroundings, the same is true for a human life. Perhaps they were one of many children; died too young; scarred by the loss of another; the father of three; or the sister to one other.
This bonsai tells a story of a strong and flourishing beginning and a dramatic and tragic event later in life. Life goes on, and beautifully full of hope. Despite the challenges later in life, this bonsai demonstrates an incredibly resilient spirit that continues to grow.
Bonsai 4: Bonsai in a Box
Dimensions: approximately 2.5’W x16”H x 12”D
Materials: mild steel and copper
Inspiration: Bonsai 4: Bonsai in a Box was inspired by the COVID lockdown and the months we all spent in self isolation. Despite the box, despite the constraints, this bonsai is thriving, just as an introvert may have thrived during COVID.
At another level, the “box” or cage only appears to have solid glass walls. With or without the frame (it is removable) the bonsai maintains its shape. Just like ourselves, the bonsai changed course and bent its branches and leaves because it perceived walls and constraints. In our own lives, we can recognize that we also make descisions and change course based on the limitations we perceive. But which may or may not actually be there.
Bonsai 5: Bells and Breeze
Dimensions: approximately includes tray and stand 7’H x 4.5’W x3.5’D
Materials: mild steel and copper
Inspiration: Bonsai 5: Bells and Breeze is one of the first moving dynamic sculptures. As a commissioned piece at a Denver residence, the feel of this bonsai was guided by a nod toward the midcentury modern feel of the residence and neighborhood. The leaves are made to swing in the breeze with bells to act as wind chimes, occasionally ringing quietly. This is the largest of this series so far, and moves very much like a natural tree would, and looks equally balanced and interesting from all sides.
Bonsai 6: Bonsai Unbound
Dimensions: approximately 2.5’W x 2.5’H x2.5’D
Materials: metal and copper
Inspiration: Bonsai Unbound- One of the principles of bonsai care involves trimming the roots to maintain the miniature structure of the tree. This bonsai flips that notion on its head by focusing on the roots bursting out from underneath the tray and become the focus of the piece. What happens when a bonsai is unbound? What if it is a lifetime of being unbound? The leaves are free floating and movehorizontally to allow for multiple ways this sculpture can be positioned. The “rock” face is corroded metal. This is the only bonsai of the series so far that fits into a ninety degree corner instead of being viewed from all sides.
Bonsai 7: Twisted Pine
Dimensions: approximate with tray and stand 3.5’W x 5’H x3’D
Materials: mild steel and copper
Inspiration: Pine trees often twists as it grows. It is both a form of structure and growth. Focusing on natural forms such as the carbon molecule for the leaves and helical forms for the trunck, this stylized bonsai was an exploration of how the mind’s eye modifies the bonsai, creating the perception of branches where there are none.
Bonsai 8: Mirror Bonsai
Dimensions: 6.5’W x 2.5’H x 3’D
Materials: mild steel and copper
Inspiration: Bonsai 8: Mirror Bonsai- is inspired by the nature of bonsai to create a space for reflection.. What about a reflection of a space made for reflection? It is a traditionally styled bonsai, but with a twist From most angles, these two bonsai, made to be mirror images of each other, appear to be mirror images. As if the piece is actually a bonsai and a mirror. It conjures a principle of bonsai to find balance, and create reflection. It is mesmerizing to view, whether still or in motion.
Each bonsai could stand alone as a single tree in a tray. But instead, the two trees are mounted that enable each to pivot on the connecting bar. Thanks to hidden gears, when one tray moves, the other one moves in the exact same but opposite direction. In addition, the entire sculpture pivots on a single square column allowing infinite viewing perspectives of bonsai orientation and reflection. Finally, the leaves are suspended to gently move in the breeze.
Metal Bonsai Gallery
LETS COLLABORATE
Health and well-being are restored when one focuses on balance. These sculptures offer a chance to pause and think about finding balance or rebalancing when installed in a healing garden or backyard.
Tom has drawn inspiration for these metal bonsai from nature. He has designed them in such a manner that it simulates real-life structures. People who have observed this claim that metal bonsai, when placed in any vicinity, it promotes tranquility and meditation