Material & Craft
The Stone
Obsidian is a natural volcanic glass formed when silica-rich lava cools rapidly with limited crystal growth. Its uniform black field can take a highly reflective polish, allowing carved planes and recessed details to register with unusual clarity. In this specimen, the dark surface provides a continuous visual foundation across the skull, horns, and wings.
The Sculpture
“Fallen Angel” was hand-carved from a single block of black obsidian. The skull and forehead horns were brought to a mirror polish, while the wings were finished with a matte texture that separates each feather from the surrounding form. Deep ocular cavities, a defined nasal opening, and a carefully articulated jaw establish the anatomical structure of the skull. The wings rise from either side in near symmetry, extending the sculpture vertically without obscuring its central profile.
Form & Meaning
The design brings together two contrasting forms: the skull, defined by density and permanence, and the wings, shaped around lift and extension. Their combination creates a deliberate tension between gravity and ascent. The title “Fallen Angel” reinforces that contrast without resolving it, leaving the sculpture suspended between descent and return.