Tsuru

Commission, 2014

Auchendarroch House, Bridge of Allan


‘Tsuru’ is Japanese for the crane bird, which symbolizes peace, health, fertility and longevity in Asian culture. In this work, the crane bird is drawn in bronze to form a sculpture.

Christie took part in a workshop at Auchendarroch House on Zen gardens taught by Professor Fukuhara of Nagoya University. During the workshop, Fukuhara completed his design and construction of the Zen garden at Auchendarroch House. Its layout is in the shape of a Japanese crane bird.

As negative space is a vital component in Japanese aesthetics, Christie sought to embrace this spatial balance in Tsuru in order to complement the garden’s purpose as a contemplative space.