York tansy beetle creator reveals secrets behind designs

Then making and installing seventeen of these ‘jewels of York’ in different poses all around the city.

Thanks to the craft of Tom Springett, the Trailblazers project showcasing artists’ interpretations of pioneers throughout history are placed on his giant tansy beetles in locations across York.

One of the tansy beetles in the Sheriff Hutton workshop (Image: Supplied)

The 48-year-old designer and fabricator works from his base in Sheriff Hutton with metals curated in a range of needs for the public art such as ours, and private commissions which show off his eye for the aesthetic.

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The Thirsk resident studied 3D design in Newcastle then started working in London before the pull of the Howardian hills and the value in real estate here called to him.

Tom's modular tansy beetles were adorned in recognition of York trailblazers - this one at The Eye of York to commemorate 64 Luddites who were tried during a 'Special Commission' at York Assizes in 1813 (Image: Kevin Glenton)

Tom said: “I had my first taste of set construction whilst making a scenic element for Mama Mia.

“From an early age I've always had an interest in making things, whether models from old toys or lego, and have always found how things are made as interesting and important as the final project.”

Tom Springett Metalwork Creations’ involvement with the beetles was in design, drawings and rendering for a presentable format to his client, Make it York. He also called in sub-contractor OCTheatrical, a CAD consultancy and digital fabrication service.

'Fabrication can be like that scene at the end of the Wizard of Oz, serene on the surface but sparks and stuff flying about too'

Tom's work also features in London’s financial and design districts and private homes.

All seventeen beetles in York were designed to be modular – ‘a bit like moving an Action Man or Sindy around’ – so that they could be put in different poses for the artists to put their work on or around.

Each of the 17 tansy beetles are adorned around a frame in reference to remarkable individuals who have shaped the city's history.

The bare sculptures themselves look quite mechanical but Tom said fabrication can also be about opposites.

His flowing design for a coffee table, a private commission, showed that fabrication isn’t all about noise and dirt, he said.

Tom designed and fabricated this coffee table for a private client (Image: Supplied)

Tom said: “Fabrication can be like that scene at the end of the Wizard of Oz, serene on the surface but sparks and stuff flying about too.

“The coffee table was about hiding everything, that was the idea behind going down the opposite route with this piece.”

About a quarter of Tom’s work is public art and the rest private commissions but Tom said some of this could be for artists who then put their work in city streets.

Tom's design for a Playstation Globe was on display in London's Excel (Image: Supplied)

He said: “Getting commissioned is a lot about being immersed in the industry and good old-fashioned graft.”

Tom is still getting to grips with York after moving to Thirsk four years ago but said he would love to see his work feature in some way near to the River Ouse in the city.

He said: “Something especially near where the natural floodwaters could become a part of the piece and interact with each other in some way.”