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Friday, Sept. 17 was truly an exciting day for Dave Laliberte. After three months comprised of much hard work, many frustrations, over 800 hours of man time and a tremendous amount of creative talent, his efforts were recognized. The 600-pound steel sculpture he created was unveiled for the first time and was welcomed with thundering applause.
Dave was commissioned by the Royal Canadian Air Force Association to sculpt a steel monument which would pay tribute to all the men and women who have served as support personnel in the air force. The sculpture of a pair of hands supporting an eagle with its wings spread is an apt symbol to give recognition to the people who form the backbone of the air force. Dave kept in mind the people whom his sculpture represents throughout its creation in hopes of bringing more character to the piece. He succeeded in creating a work of art which honors people of the air force support crew, people like Dave's father-in-law, Marcel Roche, who served in the forces in the early 1940s.
Dave has spent 27 years working with metal and the last 15 of them sculpting as a hobby. The eagle is his first commissioned piece and it is most impressive. The eagle itself is hollow and formed from sheets of metal, while the hands are solid steel. Textures, such as the eagle's feathers, are achieved by using different grinding stones. The sculpture is incredibly detailed, down to the knuckles and fingernails of the hands. The beautiful colors are created by torch heating the steel at different temperatures. The piece is finished off with a clear coat to protect it from the elements. Dave has really accomplished his goal of "making steel look alive."
Due to the extremely wet conditions this summer, the monument will not be placed in its permanent home, the Air Force Heritage Park on Sharp Boulevard, until Thursday, Oct. 28. This park makes Winnipeg the home of Canada's Air Force and Dave Laliberte's beautiful creation will sit proudly within it for all time.
Congratulations on your success Dave, and good luck in further developing your incredible creative abilities. Ile des Chenes commends your achievement.
- by Kim Patterson, published in regional newspaper
Last modified: November 15, 2003
Images of Dave Laliberte's sculpture are ©1997-2000 Dave Laliberte
All other text, sounds, graphics and files at this site are ©1997-2000 Lorne Laliberte (lorne@cdnwriter.com)