A giant larva or pupa, ripe for transformation, very much alive, full of potential. Surprisingly, the word  ‘Larva’ means ghost or phantom, something that moves between worlds, and times. Dagaz, the Rune of change, transformation, and of the new day.

  Dagaz the swarf larva is exhibited with its reflection, a contemplation of matter and  illusion. An invitation for self examination at this civic heart, an evocation of the spirits which inhabit its fabric.

  I draw your attention to Frederick Pomeroy’s beautiful bas relief friezes, on the exterior of the building, and the friezes aloft above the stairs in the foyer. where Sheffield’s grinders are acknowledged  figuratively and symbolically. Through his art, Pomeroy celebrates a living industry, brimming with skill and mastery, as do I. At this moment, when the plight of the grindstone is most acute, and precarious, do we simply allow the industry to slip away in anonymity, or do we realise its potential for rejuvenation. Consider the fact that, in modern times, the stonegrinding industry has not received any entrepreneurial attention. Surely, it deserves better.

 Dagaz is made from swarf, the ultra fine grindings produced whilst steel blades are being ground on a grindstone, and is peculiar to this industry. Once the last grindstone stops turning, it will not be seen again. In its scarcity, will it suddenly become precious, a compounded phantom?

​

 To create the sculpture, Anthony positioned a mould, which he had previously made to produce an exhibit at a natural history museum, in front of the grindstone, so that it would catch the swarf as it flew from the stone, as Brian worked. It took around 4 months to fill, then it was dried and demoulded to reveal the cast.