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Large garden-sculpture in semi-transparten stainless steel. Abstract leave shapes with surprise portrait

‘CHACHACHA’ 2013

CHACHACHA’ 2013
Mirrored stainless steel sculpture, devised in three parts
With laser cut design, mounted on a circular two-tier integrated base
Dimensions 5.5 x 1.7 x 1.5 m
This monumental outdoor sculpture was fabricated in the U.K. and installed In the USA, NY State, May 2013.

This garden sculpture is a multi-facetted three-dimensional portrait using three aspects from a single face. The laser-cut portrait image itself is partial, not a full portrait and is conceived to allow only a glimpse of the essential character contained within the three sculptural elements which comprise the composition. The result is superbly abstract. 

The mirror-polished stainless steel used for this artwork adds yet another dynamic level to the fascinating and extraordinary balance of solidity and transparency whereby reflection is utilised as an important new feature for the sculpture itself. On a formal abstract level the composition centres around a dynamic interplay of positive, negative and reflection as well as being an actual portrait. The associations and references the artwork conjures up is surprisingly expansive.

Originally designed as a simple organic three-part interactive harmony 'CHACHACHA' has many other qualities which the viewer either literally or subliminally experiences: 
The immediate impression is that of leaves or blades of grass rising enigmatically out of the ground. Its three elements also have the power to evoke a primitive or tribal quality as the ambiguous shapes flex in an optical struggle between being shield, feather, flame or blade. 
Having arrived at flat, almost two-dimensional sculpture in response to the exquisite shadow produced from any one of his 3D steel-mesh sculptures, he has now moved spectacularly forward to create sculpture using flat panel components which he articulates in three-dimensional space.

The sophisticated flat panels contain the essence of his unique three-dimensional mesh sculptures from which the images for his steel-panel artworks originate. The strategic shadow image which was previously included compositionally as a projection on the wall behind his sculpture is now incorporated into the sculpture itself.
Other associations include surfboard, sail or aeroplane wing. The dazzling surfaces of the sculpture reflect and fragment the immediate environment and the volatile mirrored shapes suggest solar panel or satellite and on a subliminal level its predominant shape is reminiscent of a crescent moon.
This sculpture at first seems to be a radical new departure for the artist, but is in fact a natural development from David Begbie's current work using flat steel-panel and photo-technology, a new and original art-form which David developed and has been exploring in recent years. 

"… a dancing embrace gently holding masculine and feminine in a perpetual balance…"
David Begbie
  • x chachacha turkeys in garden
    x chachacha turkeys in garden
  • winter sun reflecting in garden sculpture
    winter sun reflecting in garden sculpture
  • shiny garden sculpture abstract
    shiny garden sculpture abstract
  • shining garden sculpture dawn
    shining garden sculpture dawn
  • reflection of garden sculpture stainless steel
    reflection of garden sculpture stainless steel
  • mirror steel garden sculpture
    mirror steel garden sculpture
  • lasercut sample
    lasercut sample
  • installing large outdoor sculpture
    installing large outdoor sculpture
  • installing large gardensculpture
    installing large gardensculpture
  • hidden portrait in garden sculpture
    hidden portrait in garden sculpture
  • detail semi transparent outdoor sculpture
    detail semi transparent outdoor sculpture
  • detail outdoor sculpture steel
    detail outdoor sculpture steel
  • david begbie gardensculpture reflection
    david begbie gardensculpture reflection
  • abstract david begbie sculpture snow
    abstract david begbie sculpture snow
  • Garden sculpture steel abstract
    Garden sculpture steel abstract
  • David Begbie sculpture CHACHACHA hidden portrait
    David Begbie sculpture CHACHACHA hidden portrait
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A few ‘Begbie’ owners you might know
Giorgio Armani
Michael Barrymore
Eric Clapton
Jeremy Clarkson (Top Gear / BBC)
Harvey Goldsmith (promoter)
George Leventis
Emily Maitlis (BBC News Night)
Debbie Moore (Pineapple Dance studios)
Vidal Sassoon (Haircare Ltd.)
Martina Navratilova
Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran)
Sir Clive Sinclair (C5 car)
Frankie Vaughan (late)

Public examples
St. Mary, Wherwell Chilbolton
Millennium Dome, London
Manangel, Birmingham
The Jam House, Edinburgh
Shrine of Walsingham, Norfolk
Wimbledon Centre Court Building
‘Figure & Fountain‘ Southwark, London

Corporate and Private Acquisition Examples
8 Northumberland, London
British Consulate-General Shanghai
British Embassy Khartoum, Sudan
Buddha-Bar London
Cannons City Gym
Christian Dior, Paris
Eric and Jean Cass Collection
Coloplast Ltd., London
Conning Asset Management, London
Christian Dior Couture, Paris
Hanover Grange Jamaica
Heron Corporation
Hyatt Hotel Group
Johnson & Johnson
Jumeirah Hotel Group
Le Royal Meridien Hotel Group
Mein Schiff Cruise Lines
Mews of Mayfair, London
Radisson Edwardian Hotel Group
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
SAS Radisson Hotel Group

Museums
Natural History Museum, London
International Slavery Museum, Liverpool
Galleria Nazionali de Arte Moderna, Rome
Museum Beelden an Zee, The Netherlands
Court of Justice, Almelo, The Netherlands
National Gallery Canberra, Australia
Nickel Arts Museum, Calgary, USA
My sculptures have no palpable substance or surface. At first glance they appear to be a metallic membrane but when you take a closer look they are not even a skin - they are instead a delineation of surface and form, modelled and drawn in three-dimensional space.
David Begbie
Last updated: 20/03/24