AN artist is aiming to illuminate our thinking with a unique candle wax sculpture underground.

Sandi Carr’s exhibition Sole Light: Voyage Into The Darkness opened on Saturday, March 11, at Clearwell Caves.

Fascinated by the materials used and collected in the mines, the Newland-based artist has set about creating a sculpture in candle wax representing the time a miner would spend underground.

Ms Carr, who graduated with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art from Falmouth University last year, said: “It’s my first big exhibition, and I’m really excited about it, although a bit nervous.

“I’m still working on the piece before it is sited in a small cavern in the caves.”

The 23-year-old, who grew up in Parkend and attended Yorkley and Wyedean schools, added that she was amazed at the sheer mass of candles one miner would use in a year, let alone a lifetime.

“I’ve calculated the amount and transformed it into an abstract sculpture of solid candle wax,” she said.

With one candle lasting about an hour, a miner would typically use 3,000 candles a year, and the sculpture will stand 1.6 metres high to reflect the wax used.

Ms Carr is a mixed media artist specialising in sculpture and installation, with an interest in myth and folklore which comes from growing up in the Forest.

At university she researched cultural, religious and historical myths of the female body, looking at how these tales shaped our view of women today. She says her work conveys a sense of ritual, the unknown and primal instincts.

The sculpture will be on display in the caves until April 11.

For more information see sandijade.weebly.com and www.clearwellcaves.com.