La Vita è Bella sculpture was conceived during the lockdown in Italy .
I was so moved and inspired by the courageous work of the critical care doctors and nurses who were treating Covid-19 patients that I wanted to honour them.
Due to strict travel restrictions I was unable to get to my studio in Pietrasanta for almost three months so I sketched this and started work as soon as lockdown was lifted.
This is the making of it.
The cool white bronze looks gold in a warmer light
The red wax is the part of the lost wax process by which a duplicate metal sculpture (often silver, gold, brass or bronze) is cast from an original sculpture.
Once the mould is made, the wax model is melted and drained away.The hollow core is created by the heat-proof core that prevents the molten metal from totally filling the mold
Waiting for the molten bronze to be poured into the mould
The molten bronze is poured into the mould that was created with the red wax model
Little by little the sculpture La Vita e Bella is revealed
La Vita è Bella is coming out of the mould
La Vita è Bella
(Life is Beautiful) 2020
White bronze on marble base
80 x 22 cm
“On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord ” Barack Obama
Anthony Moman 