Spider-Man is Back!

Once upon a time, Michael had a business named "Metal Moments". His dream was to make a series of unique creatures from mill balls and mild steel. Four different sizes of redback spiders, ladybirds and caterpillars were to be his bread and butter. He also hoped to produce other decorative metal work, as well as developing his individual style as a metal sculptor.

He'd earned his stripes as an innovative craftsman when he worked in a previous business in his twenties. He and his business partner drifted apart, after six and a half years, due to a difference of opinion of the direction "K & S Steel Fabrication" could take. Michael eventually left that partnership.

After the demise of  his first independent venture, he worked as a sub-contractor for ten years in the mining industry. Then, in his early forties, he went to work at the Orbital Engine Company. He loved the place; the work was interesting and dynamic and he was professionally engaged by the challenges in this environment.

After only two years, Orbital underwent a restructure and Michael, along with other employees, was made redundant. Leaving this company was bittersweet, as the job loss came with a payout that allowed Michael to buy a second-hand car, attend a small business course and set up "Metal Moments" in Midland.

Suddenly he was his own boss. He made hundreds of spiders which sold successfully in retail outlets all over Perth. He appeared in a segment at the end of the 6 o'clock news as Spider-Man. Although he was frustrated by his loss of freedom to pursue other artistic work, such as sculpture, he might have been able to diversify if he'd received support from his wife at home.

She wanted more in life. Having become involved in personal spirituality, she wished for the security of a regular salary. She and Michael were both intensely unhappy. In the end, Michael was terrified of his second marriage ending and losing contact with his children. So, "Metal Moments" ceased to be and Michael returned to the employment roundabout.

Fast forward another seventeen years. That's how long it has been since Michael last made his spiders. He has learned a lot and wants his creative life to be more balanced. Plus, we still have the renovation of the building to finish, the East End Gallery to promote and nurture and the fulfilment of our personal goals. And we know that now and again, we have to return to the solitude and peace of the Goldfields to recharge our batteries.

Michael was slightly uneasy when he began this first batch of twenty-four spiders - our Mini Magdas. He was concerned he'd have forgotten how to build them. He set up his jigs in the workshop and prepared himself to remember.

He need not have worried. Like getting back on his bike, after a few wobbly moments, he was confident and assured and methodical. He took his time producing them in his usual perfectionist manner. And they are now ready to be powder coated in their beautiful red and black outfits, in order to launch forward into the world.

And wisely, he is preparing for his next endeavour, which is to complete his two unfinished sculptures - "Unhinged" and "Kangaroo Paw" - to add to the Gallery. These will be his first new pieces in nearly ten years. And I, for one, can hardly wait to see them.

After a long break, Spider-Man has returned, with both new and varied artwork and his trademark groovy little redback fridge magnets.

Congratulations, it's a spider!