ARDAITHEACH
Within a gentle heart, a tree
Adorned neither by leaves nor songs
Silently sculpted with hands wet from time
And pain.
Demiurgos.
To climb knowing you will fall
To seek knowing you are not owed answers.
Stop… stop knowing… enough
Why should I know of the pain to come?
Chosen this path is not
Yet… it is mine.
Wave embracing the shore, hear me
I am tired
Let me sink
Wind embracing the mountain, hear me
I am broken
Let me fall
Sun embracing my soul, hear me
I am no more
Let me burn
Demiurgos.
Out of the depths I call thee, Child
Quoth the Sea
To the shore of impossible you shall walk
Believe and forget your plea
(You are not listening)
Out of the clouds I call thee, Child
Quoth Ouranos
There is no flight without a fall
Reclaim your wings
(You are not listening)
Out of the flames I call thee, Child
Quoth Helios
Embraced by my flame you shall be
Not yet… not yet.
Make your Choice, Child
Aye.
\\//
Ardaitheach means Ascending in Gaelic
//\\
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This sculpture started as a concept on August 18th, 2022.
I began creating it on September 15th, 2023.
It was finished on Ides of March (15th), 2024.
Ardaitheach Dimensions: 30 x 18 cm, 57 cm height.
Clay with patina.
*
BTCOWIK
Spira / Nick © March 2024
inSPIRAtion 
Such a marvelous piece of work! Amazing. Loved your very poignant poem too.
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Your reaction is water on dry soil.
Thank you so much, Sadje.
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You’re very welcome. A talented person like you should be proud of your creations
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This is spectacular and so intricately detailed. I got the impression the figure was trying to ascend to a higher plane by making the climb. Although this post has a very Gaelic theme, the sculpture’s texture reminds me of the bark of the giant Kauri trees I saw whilst in New Zealand last year. And one particular tree named Tāne Mahuta, found in Waipoua Forest of Northland Region, seemed to reach to the skies and is thought to be between 1,250 and 2,500 years – a truly magical sight as is your art.
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Tane Mahuta, The God of the Forest!! What a majestic being! I am so glad you got to be in its presence, FT.
I have no words in response to your reaction to Ardaitheach, other than a big, heartfelt Whakawhetai koe.
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You are artistry. It flows from you like artisan spring water from the depth of earth. I’m sure this was an exhausting process but the result is your soul’s achievement. And the poem is exquisite. ❤️
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Dear M, it was/is an exhausting process… but the feeling when sitting at the end of the climb, on the edge, afterbirth still vibrating… all part of the Choice… and Love… Aye, worth the Ascending.
Thank you, M; humbly & deeply. 🌷
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It needs a naming ceremony.
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That was an exciting revelation of your magnificent object, Nick! Exciting in that I followed individual details on FB. How long you worked on it! And it paid off! The text is of course also of the finest quality. Have a nice weekend!
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Friedrich… I never expected a person and an artist of your caliber to have such words for my work.
Vielen Dank!
Have a most excellent weekend! 🥂
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You are too modest – like all great minds 😎🎶☀️🍷
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This is a beautiful poem and your sculpture is incredibly good. The details are exquisite, especially the wolf.
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Chris! Thank you so much, my dear friend!!
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What is art but the soul’s expression whether via written word, audio/visual expression or through sculpture? Fortunately for us, you’ve given us all three, Nick.
Your verse? Incredibly moving. Beautiful. Life. A journey. Climbing, reaching, bending (in defeat as well as in strength). Is it not all part of our individual desire to ascend? And if we’re lucky, our outstretched hands are taken by another to help go a little higher pulling us up, like a spotter at the gym with the lightest touch under our elbows…one more rep. So much in this piece, Nick and the detail! I love the figure at the base with companion. A dog/wolf.
Now. Let’s talk about “Penumbra”. How intense was that?! I could be wrong, but I’m of the opinion, that particular selection chose you.
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” And if we’re lucky, our outstretched hands are taken by another to help go a little higher” … the path towards the acceptance of that offering is not as easy as it seems… like everything, it is a choice to receive that life’s blessing.
And yes…of course you are exactly right about “Penumbra”…it did choose me at exactly the right moment.
This creation has been a journey in more levels than I can present here.
Thank you, Denise, for riding alongside.
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The sculpture looks amazing. I really like all the fine details that you show in your photographs.
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Thank you, rabirius.
I really appreciate it.
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The poem is great – lots of symbolism. The sculpture is divine! The intricacies and details…and also the symbolism. Such a wonderful piece with so much care and attention.
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Thank you so much, Cynthia!
I really appreciate you gifting me your attention and thoughts.
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