photo above and below copyright © Cunard Line Ltd.
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Whelk & Nautilus Shells
, 2003
statuario marble
24"H x 56"W x 27"D & 32"H x 20"W x 18"D respectively
collection of Queen Mary 2, Cunard Line Ltd.
These large seashell sculptures are located around the thelassotherapy pool of the Canyon Ranch SpaClub, aboard the Queen Mary 2, the most famous ocean liner of our time ©. The Spa is located on Deck 7, forward and is 20,000 square feet - the largest and most luxurious spa at sea.
Michael was the only artist from Canada to be commissioned to produce original fine art for the ship's permanent international art collection. This was a significant commission in this artist's career, and Michael's most famous to date. To be associated with the Queen Mary 2 and Canyon Ranch is a coup.
Michael worked in collaboration with Onderneming & Kunst, an art consulting firm from Amsterdam. The project took two years from conception to completion, and the sculptures were unveiled with the christening of the ship by HRM Queen Elizabeth II on January 8, 2004.
The Queen Mary 2 began her Maiden Voyage on January 12, 2004.
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This computer concept drawing shows the Nautilus shells (above)
and the Whelk shell (right) which must light from inside.
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September, 2002.
Two blocks of white Italian
statuario marble from Carrara
are delivered to Jade West for cutting.
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The blocks are cut using an 8' diameter
chop saw into the three blanks for the sculptures.
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September 15, 2002.
The blanks are delivered to the studio.
The whelk blank is on the left, the twin nautilus' right.
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After several design delays,
Michael begins to carve April 10, 2003.
Chains are needed to lift and move
the large whelk sculpture.
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May 28, 2004.
Michael uses pneumatic chisels to shape the shell.
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June 6, 2003.
The sculpture is ready for sanding and polishing.
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June 10, 2003.
The final Whelk shell sculpture.
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Michael had to hollow out the sculpture
so it would glow when lit by lights in the pedestal.
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June 11, 2003.
Michael begins work on the
Nautilus shells.
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Jun 18, 2003
The Nautilus' take shape.
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Michael has to make the shells
mirror images of each other.
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July 8, 2003
One of the finished Nautilus'.
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One of the twin Nautilus shells lit from within.
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Michael with the finished Whelk shell.
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The completed Nautilus shells await to be crated
along with the Whelk
for shipping to St. Nazaire, France
where the Queen Mary 2 was constructed.
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