Client: Sky Arts

Overview

Almost 3 metres tall, made from Corten steel and air: Only Breath is a large, abstract sculpture by emerging, British Sculptor Sapien. It takes inspiration from a poem of the same name, written by famous Sufi poet Rumi. The corten sculpture takes apart the layers of what it means to be a breathing human being and contains a segment of the poem, with each blade containing a single ‘letter form’ punctuated as small holes, allowing air to flow through the work as it twists and leaps to life. The hidden verse reads: “Not composed of elements at all, I do not exist”

The air around us wants to live and be seen, the expressiveness of Corten steel is a perfect partner for the poem and sculpture. This living material matures over the months & years, reacting with the oxygen in the air to become covered with a unique patina formed only by time – highlighting the transient nature of life here on earth.

Materials: Corten steel & air | Size: 265cm (H) x 250cm (W) x 90cm

Goals

In 2021 Sapien starred in a major new Sky Arts TV series. Only Breath won the Northern heat/episode to reach the grand final. The show titled 'Landmark' followed 18 sculptors from 6 regions, across the UK as they competed for the chance to create the UK's next monumental, landmark sculpture.

Process

The Sapien practice is built of collaboration, we work closely with clients & their communities to consistently deliver high-quality, meaningful work, we have a proven track record of telling stories with sculptures.

Making a large piece of public art inside two weeks while being filmed every day was intense. Sapien's deep knowledge of manufacturing and trusted network of local, highly skilled craftsmen ensured exacting standards and delivery on time and on budget.