Originally Published On:
August 15, 2017
Originally Published By:
Haliburton Echo
Flying Debris
Written By:
Angus Sullivan
Flying Debris was created by Leo Sepa and installed 2016.
A sculpture that flew under the radar last summer was the whimsical piece “Flying Debris” by sculptor Leo Sepa. It was donated by Nancy Jackson and Terry Anderson late last summer and in one foul swoop was swiftly installed to become a part of our collection.
Found objects are at the heart of this piece, suitably named “Flying Debris”. Retired tools, hardware, and rebar, taken from farms around the county, have been welded into the shape of one of our most distinctive local birds, the blue heron. The piece exudes wit in the title and whimsy in the execution. Starting its life as a weather vane on a farm, “Flying Debris” is the only sculpture in the sculpture forest that is fully kinetic.
The heron has a bird’s eye view of the forest perched on the top of a short pole sticking out from a boulder beside the forest path. With a wingspan of two meters, the bird is an impressive sight. Found in the middle of a forest, it is rare for the wind to blow hard enough to move the old weather vane. Visitors to the forest can see it in motion by pushing the heron’s feet lying closer to the path. If you come to visit the sculpture forest, make sure to give “Flying Debris” a spin along your way.
Leo Sepa established Iron Jive studio in Minden in 1997. Coming from a long line of blacksmiths, Leo uses a combination of traditional techniques and some new technologies in his work. He enjoys working with recycled materials. “Moose Scraps”, a moose made out of old farm equipment, is also by Leo Sepa.
The Haliburton Sculpture Forest is located in Glebe Park on 297 College Drive. This unique collection of 36 sculptures by Canadian and international artists is open to the public, dawn to dusk, for your own discovery. Free guided tours occur on Tuesdays (10:00-11:00) and Wednesdays (12:10-12:50) in July and August. You can use the sculpture forest app (download PocketSights and search for Haliburton) or visit the website to learn more about the sculptures. www.haliburtonsculptureforest.ca