Swarmf*** is a swarf cast of a giant bee’s wing. Like a fossil from the carboniferous age when flora and fauna were huge due the higher oxygen content in the air.

 What are the ramifications/consequences of a bee losing its wing? A dismemberment of one of the most industrious of creatures. Obviously it could not fly – but more than this – it would not be able to Waggle Dance. It would be unable to tell the hive how far the workers should fly to find the most bountiful source of pollen .This could mean that the hive itself could perish.

 The sculpture is made from swarf – the ultra fine grindings produced whilst grinding blades are being ground on a grindstone. It was created by putting a mould, which Anthony had previously made for a Giant bee model which can be seen in Weston Park Museum, in front of the grindstone, and allowing it to fill up with swarf as Brian worked ( at Beehive Works, incidentally). It took about 3 months to fill up, then it was dried, then demoulded to reveal the swarf cast.