30 Women, 30 Careers: Celebrating Diversity
Career — Pianist
A pianist caught in a moment of contemplation — her face lifted towards an imagined melody, while piano keys and flowing musical lines become part of her form.
A pianist communicates through music, transforming written notes into rhythm, melody and emotion. Beyond technical skill, playing the piano can become an intimate form of expression, allowing thoughts and feelings to be communicated without words.
This sculpture explores the pianist not simply as a performer, but as a woman absorbed in the inner world of music.
Her face is lifted upwards, suggesting a moment of deep thought or contemplation — as though she is listening to music within her imagination rather than simply performing it before an audience.
The piano keys positioned on one side of her head become an extension of her thoughts. Rather than placing the entire piano in the sculpture, I wanted to reduce it to its most recognisable elements: the keys themselves, transforming the instrument into a visual representation of music occupying her mind.
Around her torso, white strips of clothing flow across the body like musical lines. They suggest the movement of a melody — wrapping around the figure, creating rhythm and continuity. The sculpture therefore becomes a meeting point between the musician, the instrument and the music itself.
The pianist represents a woman who possesses both technical discipline and an imaginative inner life.
The upward position of her face suggests that music can take us somewhere beyond the physical act of playing. There is a moment of inward concentration, where thought, memory, emotion and sound become intertwined.
Her gestures are deliberately gentle. One hand rises towards her face, almost as though she is listening, remembering or feeling the music within herself. The other rests near her waist, creating a quieter counterpoint to the lifted hand. Together, these gestures suggest a woman caught between thought and expression.
Positioned on one side of the head are eleven white piano keys and seven black keys. The keys transform the piano into a symbolic extension of the woman’s mind. They suggest that music is not simply something she plays with her hands — it is something that occupies her thoughts and imagination.
Her face is tilted upwards, creating a contemplative expression. She appears to be looking beyond the physical world, perhaps imagining a melody, remembering a piece of music or simply allowing herself to become absorbed in thought.
The white strips flowing around the torso represent musical lines moving around the body. Rather than treating the music as something separate from the figure, these lines become part of her clothing and form, suggesting that music is woven into her identity.
One hand rises gently towards her face, creating an intimate gesture of contemplation and sensitivity. The other arm rests near the waist, providing a quieter gesture and helping to balance the composition.
A small number of musical notes have been added to the back of the sculpture, extending the musical language beyond the front of the figure. These notes create another layer of movement and help the sculpture communicate from multiple viewpoints.
The sculpture was developed by hand, gradually building the figure and incorporating musical elements into the form.
The lifted head established first; and the back pierced with ventilation holes so the hollow form can fire safely.
As the sculpture developed, I added musical notes to the back of the figure to extend the musical theme beyond the front of the composition.
The piano keys, flowing strips and musical notes were carefully integrated into the figure so that they feel connected to her rather than simply attached to the sculpture.
Finished — fired & glazed
This piece is awaiting its bisque and glaze firing. Finished photographs will be added here once it comes out of the kiln.
For enquiries about pricing or to commission a piece, please contact lee.anchor@optusnet.com.au.