This body of work represents several different installations over the years, yet, they are part of the same series. Hawkins uses lessening, a metalworking reduction process, alongside steel works, with both exploring fractal-like patterning across materials.
The steel pieces are derived from a single pattern that Hawkins created and reproduced. All the works, despite being from different shows, repeat the same pattern at different scales.
Fractal Sculptures in Steel and Clay
In fractal terms, this means that they are not identical, but recursive, and constitute an identical pattern. Earth or Clay, which is what Lessening is made of, exhibits a classic example of hierarchical patterning - branching that is common at all scales. With the welded pieces, I was also exploring different kinds of simulated natural growth structures.
Patterns of Natural Growth
Across different materials and shows, this body of work is connected by a repeated underlying pattern. The pieces explore fractal logic, structures that recur at different scales, inspired by natural growth systems.