Kanab Wonderstone
Kanab Wonderstone is a remarkable architectural sandstone found in the high desert of Southern Utah.
The apertures in these sculptures act as physical lenses, echoing the ancient spirit of holed standing stones such as the Men-an-Tol in Cornwall.
They serve as a silent invitation to look through the mineral and into the deep history of the earth, creating a literal and metaphorical window within the solid sandstone. These openings represent a portal between the present moment and the millions of years of geological pressure that forged the terracotta and ochre rings, transforming a heavy specimen into a symbolic gateway.
By allowing light and air to pass through the heart of the stone, these pieces shift the perspective from a solid object to an interactive focal point. They draw the eye through the layers, much like a hollowed monument on a moor, offering a bridge to the past and a sense of stillness. The presence of these spaces within the rhythmic desert bands encourages a moment of pause, inviting you to step closer and find your own connection to the enduring energy of the landscape
They are famous for their intricate, rhythmic bands of colour known as Liesegang rings.
These patterns were created millions of years ago as mineral-rich groundwater, saturated with iron and manganese, moved through the porous rock. As the chemical composition of the water shifted, it left behind these fluid, concentric layers of terracotta, burnt ochre, and cream, effectively painting a chemical map of ancient earth movements
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