TAN ARLIDGE | SACRED GEOMETRY 

TAN ARLIDGE

'“Sacred Geometry” is an investigation into the hidden mathematical patterns that underlie our natural world, the rhythmic waves of the ocean responding to the moon’s gravitational pull, the gentle undulations of sand dunes shaped by wind, and the flowing patterns that emerge from these elemental interactions. I explore the profound concept that all things in our universe are intricately connected.

Movement has always been a pillar of my sculptural practice. In this series, I’ve distilled this exploration to its essence through three fundamental geometric forms: the circle, the square, and the triangle. I have experimented with both positive and negative space via the removal of material to achieve abstract sculptural shapes.

By removing a circle from the centre of a square, I’ve created an abstract series of form I’ve named “Bonacci,” paying homage to Leonardo Fibonacci whose mathematical sequence reveals itself repeatedly throughout nature. The circle itself transforms into a winglike form, suggesting flight and freedom.

This collection marks an evolution in my technique. While I continue to employ my signature method of thermoforming polymer to create fluid shapes, I’ve introduced timber as a new medium. The natural grain of the wood echoes the same undulations found in wind-swept sands or water-sculpted shores.

I’ve incorporated the 18th century Japanese preservation technique of Yakisugi (charred wood), using it as a starting point to excavate deeper into the material, revealing hidden patterns within.

Capturing the true essence of this series was really important to me and I am proud to present a short Film directed by me and filmed by Claudia Rose of The Artists Group.

Set among the sand dunes in Anna Bay, Port Stephens, within the Worimi National Park we embarked on a journey to capture the interconnectedness of the landscape with my sculptural forms.

As you view the Sacred Geometry series and short film, I invite you to sense the inherent connection between yourself and these forms - to recognise that the same mathematical principles that shape our natural world are reflected in your own being. My hope is that this work inspires a moment of recognition, that we are all part of the same elegant geometric system, connected by unseen but ever-present patterns that flow through absolutely everything, everywhere, all the time”.

- Tan Arlidge, March 2025