The prowess of local sculptor Georgette Schwartz of Birkdale is spreading with her latest commission of St Martin De Porres headed to Carina’s St Martin Catholic School.
The life size sculpture, weighing more than 350kg took her about five months to complete with hot weather conditions holding up the process. The sculpture shows St Martin in a seated position and will be a fitting showpiece to the school’s entry statement.
Georgette has already left her stamp on local Catholic schools, having created two stone crossses for Carmel College at Thornlands and for the Catholic spiritual church at Ormiston. Also to her credit is a large Jesus sculpture now at Sandgate and a large cross for Stella Maris School at Maroochydore.
“Every one is individual,” she said.
Georgette said she always visited the sites in order to create the best piece for its intended position, working with cement rendering and stonework.
“When I get a commission, I ask for an image of what is required, then I get inspiration from the site. For example, when I visited Maroochydore, it was obvious that a large cross was needed for the large space. The crosses from Carmel College were quite different,” she said.
“I was asked if I was happy with this work (St Martin) and I am. But the more important question is whether the client is happy. I feel really proud to see these pieces in use,” she said.
More of Georgette’s work can be seen on georgettesart.com