In Step

IN STEP was inspired by a trip volunteering in the Amazon Rainforest in Peru, where I encountered a mesmerising line of leaf cutter ants making their way back to their nest. Each ant carried a fragment of leaf or a bright pink petal from the bird of paradise flower, creating a moving ribbon of colour weaving through the forest floor. Watching them closely, I became fascinated by their synchronised movement and quiet sense of purpose as they worked together to harvest and transport food back to the colony.

Part of the HOME series, the sculpture explores the idea of home not simply as a physical structure, but as a place shaped through instinct, community and shared endeavour. The ants communicate constantly as they march, quickly responding to obstacles in their path and working collectively towards a common goal. Their movements, so ordered and deliberate, inspired the flowing rhythm within the piece.

At the centre of the sculpture, the nest spirals downwards into the form, drawing the viewer into the hidden activity below the surface. Ants carrying leaves work their way into the nest while another emerges empty-handed, ready to begin the farming process once again. The piece invites close observation, revealing small moments of narrative and movement within the sculptural form.

Handmade in lead-free pewter, the sculpture celebrates the fluidity and tactile qualities of the material while pushing its sculptural possibilities. The polished pewter surface will retain its finish over time, and the six separate ants can be positioned around the piece on a shelf, mantelpiece, desk or table, allowing the work to extend beyond the central form and interact with the surrounding space.

Delivery will be arranged on completion of the piece if purchasing outside the UK please contact Fleur.