Goldengrove (detail 15)

I have lifted the title of this mobile from a line in the poem, “To a Young Child” by Gerard Manley Hopkins. I have always loved that poem, and the autumnal colours of the ‘leaves’ of this mobile brought it to mind as I worked.

‘Goldengrove’ was commissioned for the Teak Room in Crown Casino, Melbourne. The mobile is installed above a reflective pool of water, from a ceiling plate made from highly polished stainless steel, which also reflects the mobile. Dramatic lighting from above makes the silk ‘leaves’ glow against the dark timber of the restaurant interior. The large stainless steel cross pieces are made by Matt Crawford of Crawford’s Casting.

To a young Child

Margaret, are you grieving
Over Goldengrove unleaving?
Leaves, like the things of man, you
With your fresh thoughts care for, can you?
Ah! as the heart grows older
It will come to such sights colder
By & by, nor spare a sigh
Though worlds of wanwood leafmeal lie;
And yet you will weep & know why.
Now no matter, child, the name:
Sorrow's springs are the same.
Nor mouth had, no nor mind, expressed
What heart heard of, ghost guessed:
It is the blight man was born for,
It is Margaret you mourn for.

--Gerard Manley Hopkins