NAUTILUS

This sculpture was created on commission for a couple who wanted to commemorate their 50th wedding anniversary with a lasting piece of art. The artwork shows a cross-section of a nautilus shell, a spiral-shaped shell of a sea creature made up of multiple chambers. With each growth phase, the nautilus creates a new chamber and moves forward into it. The previous chambers are sealed off with thin walls, known as lamellae or septa. Through a tube running through the center of the shell, gas and fluid are exchanged between the chambers, allowing the nautilus to rise or sink in the water.

I see each lamella as a year of marriage: a small step, a moment that contributes to something great and lasting.

For me, the symbolism of the shell lies in starting small together and helping each other grow, step by step, throughout the years. Just as the shell protects the nautilus, two people build a strong and warm home over time. This home is not only for themselves, but also for their children, grandchildren, and the generations to come.