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39. Josh Tilden

Gothic Spiral Staircase, 2023

Sydney Yellow Block Sandstone

 

 

I’ve carved a small version of a spiral staircase, looking into the geometry and point in time where medieval architecture and Gothic architecture cross over. Medieval architecture is all about basic geometry. The point where Gothic starts, is where the over-the-top carving elements take over.

I am a stonemason at Rookwood General Cemetery with over 19 years of experience. I also teach Certificate III in Stonemasonry (Monumental/Installation) at Miller TAFE. I’ve worked on the Queen Victoria Building, Eye Hospital Sydney, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and numerous buildings and churches and graveyards monuments with Jasper Swann, Public Works and Rookwood Cemetery.

About the Artist

 

Josh Tilden lives on Tharawal Gundungurra Land in south western Sydney, NSW.

 

 

Transcription

As a stonemason, stone stairs are fascinating. The height of the rise, the length of the tread and the distance of the going all make steps in a staircase what they are. When we walk upstairs, we often don’t think too much about the measurements and  geometry involved in construction of the staircase as the equation of the staircase is pleasing to the user. Unless the equation is off for some reason; the stairs are too high in the rise or the the length of the tread is longer or shorter. This creates an unpleasant ascend or descend for the user.

I’ve decided to create a small version of a spiral staircase as my competition stone this year, looking into the geometry and point in time where medieval architecture and gothic architecture cross over, with medieval architecture being all about basic geometry. The point where gothic starts is where the over the top carving elements take over, as in the centre column of my spiral staircase column where gothic elements enhance the geometry of the medieval.