Bring Wonder to Bethlehem

The rhythm of life.

Wonder is a mesmerising moving sculpture, which shows the interconnected nature of things, conjuring a unifying feeling in all who experience its uplifting and gently flowing presence.

I'd like to take Wonder on an adventure to promote peace and so we can all realise the common human emotions and experiences we all share. As Wonder moves it encourages us to breathe with it’s flow and as we attune to its rhythm we naturally find ourselves feeling more peaceful.

A trip to Jerusalem

As an artist, I simply want people to feel inspired and hopeful.

Wonder was first installed in Saint Aldhelm’s Medieval Chapel at Malmesbury Abbey during the pandemic. I was positioned opposite the resting place of Athelstan, first King of England where it has been enjoyed by thousands of visitors in person and tens of millions of viewers online.

“Enigmatic, mysterious and beautiful. Tom’s incredible creation echoes DNA and has the essence of infinity & eternity. The medieval chapel at Malmesbury Abbey seems the most befitting place for Wonder to find its first ever home. Here in the heart of our town for the marvel and enjoyment of us all.” - Reverend Oliver Ross, Malmesbury Abbey

A large-scale Wonder now stands permanently in Malmesbury Abbey, owned by the community and on public display for the enjoyment of all. The original sculpture sits in the sanctuary at Brimscombe Mill nr Stroud where it is enjoyed by visitors to The Long Table.

Wonder has been invited to Bethlehem to be installed for public display at the Palestine Museum of Natural History by founder and Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Professor Mazim Qumsiyeh.

Mazim and I became acquainted in October 2023 just as chaos engulfed the region. We were connected by my creation and a mutual desire to foster curiosity in the natural world through the education of children in Environmental Sciences.

A secondary site has also been identified by Dr Anis Daraghma as the Church of the Nativity. This is being researched now in order to facilitate such an installation — on a more temporary basis (we are looking at a long term loan of 12 months) — with all stakeholders working to facilitate such a special project. In addition to these principal locations, the Palestine Peace Centre has also been identified as a willing and suitable location for Wonder.

"I thoroughly enjoyed watching Wonder in the abbey; it transported me to many landscapes of the mind. I envision your natural, magical, spiritual sculpture being housed at the Church of the Nativity.

I reflected on why it feels so magical, and I realised it can be joyfully observed because it evokes so much—sunrises and sunsets, stargazing from a distant desert. It made me think of the perfection of nature, of God’s presence in the flow of life and the existence of objects. The spiral flow of things speaks to the presence of God within this sculpture, undoubtedly." - Dr Anis Daraghma

My intention is to carefully curate two installations in the city and to document the adventure in film to inspire the public with a true and noble story of our time.

This is an artistic endeavor free from religious or political motivations, but rather a call to the spirit within each of us that longs for peace, stillness, and wonder. The film will be created as professionally as possible, though with limited funding. Its purpose is to document the journey, diving beyond our differences to uncover the heart of wonder within us all, and to share it through social media rather than any specific media platform. The ultimate goal is to inspire audiences to look beyond divisions and rediscover our shared humanity, emotions, and innate call to wonder.

I need your help!

It would be impossible to undertake such a project on my own and unsupported, so I am outlining the project and making this statement of intent in order to encourage and invite sponsorship of both the installation and films, which can be scaled depending on the level of funds raised.

I seek £5K funding in order to safely bring Wonder to Bethlehem.

These funds will be used to cover costs of my personal travel, accommodation, installation materials, structural packaging and safe shipment of Wonder.

Objective

To inspire peace and unity.

The project will use my original prototype Wonder piece which has already been fabricated but requires special preparation and packaging for safe transport and installation. This piece was made at my own cost before Wonder was made available to my previous company Uplifting Products Ltd, which went into liquidation in July 2024. The unit in question is presently on display in the sanctuary at Brimscombe Mill and is available with their consent for a long term loan.

The project is presently supported by the goodwill and endorsement of our community friends at The Long Table and Malmesbury Abbey where Wonder is already on public display for everyone to freely enjoy.

Existing friends of Wonder include some extraordinary people and make up an unofficial round table of magical souls including; Dr Iain McGilchrist, Coldplay and Chris Ramsay who made the film featured below.

My name is Tom Lawton and I am an artist and inventor.

The bigger picture

Beyond this initial fund raise, which looks to green light the project I am 'considering' a further crowdfunding campaign to support the film and raise additional funds beyond our essential project costs, if this project is successful, which includes:

(Preliminary/estimated costs)

Acquisition and preparation of the sculptures — it’s possible to move and prepare a unique big wonder, which could be saved from the liquidation of Uplifting Products. £5K - this is dependent on the lawful acquisition of this piece and is subject to other factors at this present time.

Structural packaging for shipment — wooden crates for international travel. £2K

Installation materials — spare parts, black 3.0 paint and tools. £2K

Essential and competent film crew — director/camera man and editor. £12K

Travel costs — international flights and internal travel. £3K

Accommodation — minimal hotel nights (although due to our newly kindled friendships the project will be largely hosted on location, giving us access to the sites in an authentic and sympathetic way). £3K

Stipend for artist. £3K

Target funding £30,000 GBP