For Dear Life
2026 · Ontario marble24 inches wide × 24 inches deep × 34 inches high
Unique sculpture
A mother and newborn emerge from an unfinished block of Ontario marble.
The marble had sat at a quarry near Tweed for years before I began carving it. Working outdoors through the summer, I gradually brought the figures out of the stone, leaving portions of the original block visible.
I wrote the accompanying poem during the making of the sculpture. It reflects both the physical experience of carving in the quarry and the tenderness and endurance expressed by the figures themselves.
From the quarry
Once again
The hammer blows
Did echo off the quarry walls
Through burning sun,
Mosquito swarm,
And Banker-Bees who fought with strength
From marble block
That sat for years
A quarry-dog did carve his Love
Who's holding on
Through endless nights
For dear life, and more restful days
— Jordan Clements