A welder whose partner spent her final days in the Macmillan Unit at Christchurch Hospital has unveiled his third stunning artwork to be auctioned for the hospice.
By day, Gary Smith from Bournemouth is an aerospace welder. But in his spare time, he runs Gary Smith Welded Art welding metal, including unwanted cutlery, into unique pieces for private and commercial clients.
His latest work ‘New Beginnings’ is a three-piece sculpture featuring a host of butterflies covered in 24ct gold. It has been created for Macmillan Caring Locally (MCL), the charity which supports the Macmillan Unit and will be auctioned live at their annual fundraiser the Flutterby Ball and via Facebook on Friday 4th October.
Gary’s partner Fiona died at the Macmillan Unit in 2013, just months after her cancer diagnosis.
“The care Fiona received was outstanding. Nothing was too much trouble and I’ll be forever grateful for that. I feel honoured to be able to use my art to support the hospice’s work, it’s become a part of my life,” he said.
“I hope my latest sculpture will raise a really impressive amount for Macmillan Caring Locally.
“My two previous butterfly-themed sculptures for the charity – Flutterby and The Visitor – were made of unwanted cutlery and metal washers and raised a great deal.
“This year is MCL’s Golden Anniversary, hence the real gold butterflies, and it would be fabulous if New Beginnings raised a truly impressive amount.”
Each butterfly in New Beginnings is formed in stainless steel, covered in 24ct gold, and set against a backdrop of copper and stainless steel.
“I liked the idea of being able to see a butterfly slowly emerge in the first and second panels, before being joined by a host of glorious butterflies in the third panel,” said Gary.
“If it were commissioned, you would pay around £5000 for this piece, mainly because of the materials and the time it took to create.
“I wanted it to tell a story and really stir the emotions and I’m told it does that.”
Gary who also met his wife Lucy, who is an aromatherapist, through the Macmillan Unit, said he would not have been able to create New Beginnings without the help of four local businesses:
“Andy Rice owner of Elite Fabrication & Welding Ltd gave me a huge amount of help and advice, while Accujet in Poole laser cut the plates and butterflies, Dolphin Marine in Poole did the 24k gold plating on the butterflies and NB Powder Coating Services in Poole did the finish on the three plates. And they all did all of this for free.
“All of these local companies jumped at the chance to help the hospice and its only through their collaboration that we have the finished piece today.”
New Beginnings is currently on display at the Captain’s Club Hotel & Spa in Christchurch. The hotel is a long-term supporter of MCL and one of a host of local businesses who have signed up as its Golden Partners during its 50th anniversary year.
Cheryl Davies from the Captain’s Club said: “We are very proud to be able to display New Beginnings here in the hotel. It’s stunning and is proving to be a talking point amongst our visitors and guests. I’m sure there is going to be a great deal of interest from people wanting to own something so unique and beautiful.”
Lin Sharp, Fundraising & Communications Director at MCL agreed: “It’s difficult not to get emotional when you listen to Gary’s story and equally so when you see his work. I’m quite overwhelmed by New Beginnings and the whole of MCL is incredibly grateful for his continued support. We can’t wait to see peoples’ reaction to New Beginnings and to welcome their bids for this unique and very beautiful piece.”
With New Beginnings soon to go ‘under the hammer’ Gary is already thinking about his creation for the next Flutterby Ball in 2025:
“I don’t want to say too much, but I’m thinking of a ‘cloud of butterflies’ and I’m definitely going bigger,” he said. “So, watch this space.”
A small number of tickets are still available for the Flutterby Ball at the Marriott Hotel, Bournemouth, on Friday 4th October 2024 from 6:30 pm to 1:00 am. To reserve yours visit: HERE
People who are not able to attend the Ball are still available to bid for New Beginnings on Facebook at 9.15pm on October 4th at: @macmillanlocal
A video of the New Beginnings sculpture can be found: HERE