Estremoz marble gets its name from its place of origin: the municipality of Estremoz, in Alentejo, southeastern Portgual. The particular area has sustained mining since the Roman Period, during and from which time the marble has been used for sculptures that exist in both archeological sites and museums all over the world. Estremoz marble is high density and most commonly carries a pink hue, whereas for this sculpture Thacker has sourced a special blue Estremoz which emphasises the sense of weight and emboldens the twisting form. The blue-grey colouration is thanks to the presence of organic matter which concentrate within the layers of the rock, so this piece offers a glimpse into an incredible age-old history.
Michael Thacker MRBS is a stone mason who works full time at Lincoln Cathedral, he is also a member of the Royal British Society of Sculptors. His recent work illustrates his investigations into using light as a medium as well as stone. Using the simple act of gilding to reflect or accentuate light to create a glow that exudes from the centre of the stone illuminating an otherwise shadowed area.