You're the Best!

A gift to express appreciation and thankfulness for teachers, volunteers, donors, caregivers, friends. "This piece is all about the apple. I wanted it to symbolise many things... to stand out, be large, delicious, shiny. Obviously, it's a symbol for teacher appreciation - but the apple is also just a beautiful fruit. A metaphor for good health, for wisdom, for someone chosen for something big... for a special person who always gives the best of her or himself, and makes a difference in the lives of others... I like that this piece is so open - I'll be interested to read how others interpret it" - Susan Lordi. This figure includes a gift tag with the sentiment 'Thank you for making a difference'.

Approx. Dimensions: 13cmH 9cmW 6cmD

Willow Tree

Artist Susan Lordi hand carves the original of each Willow Tree sculpture. Using family and friends as models, Susan tries to capture a moment in time, or express a feeling. Pieces are cast from her original carvings, and then individually painted by hand. Softly washed colours, carved and metal accents, and representative icons of nature mark Susan’s work.

Her figures continue to evolve as she identifies emotions so important for us to convey, and renders them in simple, pure gestures. These art forms beautifully express love, closeness, healing, courage, hope…all the emotions of a life well lived.

The name Willow Tree was chosen to symbolise all that is gestural and beckoning. The figures are columnar in design, like a tree, and often carry natural objects or animals as metaphors for human virtues or qualities…rosemary for remembrance, a bird for healing, flowers for beauty. The sculptures are rendered so as to suggest elegance, simplicity, peace and serenity. Forms reveal their expressions through body gestures only…a tilt of the head, placement of the hands, a turn of the body.

Emotions are left to the viewer to discern, which makes them personal and powerful. ‘Willow Tree is not necessarily a likeness, it’s a way of conveying emotion…a reminder of someone we want to keep close, or a memory that we want to touch, or see.

I hope that people can recognise subtle expressions or gestures of those they love, and from that, be able to select pieces that are uniquely meaningful for them.’ Susan Lordi