Sculptures are always fascinating, often leaving viewers pondering. Here's one such sculpture made using over 200 medium to small-sized metallic items. Look at it from different angles, and you get to see a divine figure— view of God the Father and His Son, Jesus.
Sifting through his 14-year collection of rivets, screws, nuts and bolts and turning it into this unique piece of art took Thomas Antonio Da Costa, an electrical engineer by profession, almost two years to come up with this two-in-one masterpiece showcased at his San Thome Museum in Varca.
Speaking about the sculpture, his ideas and inspiration, Thomas claims, “This sculpture is one of its kind in the world, made using various types of mechanical screws, nuts and bolts, among other items.”
“The sculpture is inspired by God, and I was just an instrument. I had these screws in the loft of my house, and what to make out of these was the question," he adds.
It took Thomas Antonio Da Costa, an electrical engineer by profession, almost 14 years to decide on, and then execute, this two-in-one artwork showcased at his San Thome Museum in Varca.
One day he stumbled upon the Biblical quote from John 14:5-7, 'I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known my Father also, and from now on, you know Him and have seen Him.'
That’s when, from from all the designs he had previously considered, he singled out the Father and Son, and decided to use only the screws, nuts and bolts that he possessed.
Describing the intricacies of his artwork, Da Costa explains, “The hair of Jesus is crafted from rivets, while the halo is formed using screws. The outer rim of the halo is made from plus screws, with the middle section consisting of spring washers. The inner part of the halo is created with minus screws paired with spring washers. The combination of these carefully selected elements gives the piece its distinctive and unique character.”
The vestment on the portrait has been fashioned using special screws, commonly used on ships that are designed to automatically lock themselves in place to avoid vibrations.
For the moustache, Thomas used special hexagonal bolts, while only a few rare screws were selected for the chin, adding a distinct, meticulous touch to the facial features of the sculpture.
“You don’t get these screws in the market. They are very small minus screws. I got them from the ship (when I worked there),” says Thomas, who sailed with a German shipping company before returning to Goa to start his museum.
The sculpture is a masterful blend of everyday metallic items, with door latches carefully shaped into lips, basin drain couplings used for eyelids, and horseshoe magnets forming the ears. "It took a tremendous amount of time and effort to bring this vision to life, and I’m incredibly proud and happy with the result," says Thomas.
You don’t get these screws in the market. They are very small minus screws. I got them from the ship.
Thomas Antonio Da Costa, Curator of San Thome Museum, Varca
Another unique feature of the sculpture is the bell that resonates for a long time.
“These are actually reverse osmosis water filters, which are filters on the inside and have outer casings, which I have used as bells. I believe that if you ring this and make a wish, God will grant it,” he says.
So, the next time you find yourself passing through Varca, don't forget to hop into the San Thome Museum in Varca and check out this portrait. Besides that, the museum will transport you back in time as it touches every aspect of the Technical Revolution that started in 1800 AD.