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Poseidon 2026 - the creation of a monumental stone sculpture

Jo Kley
Apr 3
3 min read

Updated: Sep 23

I am currently working on a huge commissioned sculpture. It represents Poseidon, the ruler over oceans, rivers, springs and lakes, and continues a spiral form that I have already developed within my cycle of the Twelve Olympic Gods. The spiral symbolizes movement, energy, and the ever-present power of water.


In early November 2025, my search for the right material took me to Larvik, Norway. There, I selected a large block of Larvikite, an exceptional igneous stone known for its depth, structure, and remarkable interaction with light. The stone block was prepared on site for heavy transport and reduced to a weight of approximately 28 tons. I also traveled to Sweden in June 2026 to look for a suitable basement out of grey Bohus granite.


I warmly invite you to follow the creation of this work on my blog here on the website and through my social media channels, where I will be sharing insights into the ongoing process.



The model of Poseidon made of Larvikite (granite) from Norway. The base is made of granite (Bohus).
The model of Poseidon made of Larvikite (granite) from Norway. The base is made of granite (Bohus).
Poseidon from the front.
Poseidon from the front.
A quarry owned by the LUNDHS company in Larvik on the southern coast of Norway.
A quarry owned by the LUNDHS company in Larvik on the southern coast of Norway.

November 2025: I chose this 33-ton stone block. The LUNDHS company makes a saw cut along the marked line so that the shape of the stone block matches that of Poseidon. Weighing 28 tons, the block is ready for heavy transport to my studio.
November 2025: I chose this 33-ton stone block. The LUNDHS company makes a saw cut along the marked line so that the shape of the stone block matches that of Poseidon. Weighing 28 tons, the block is ready for heavy transport to my studio.
December 2025: The stone arrives at my studio on a flatbed truck.
December 2025: The stone arrives at my studio on a flatbed truck.
The stone has finally arrived, and I am happy that I can start my work.
The stone has finally arrived, and I am happy that I can start my work.
The first boreholes for the first split.
The first boreholes for the first split.
I start with the angle grinder — I cut the stone wet, so there is less dust.
I start with the angle grinder — I cut the stone wet, so there is less dust.
The first cuts. A lot of gymnastics on the rock.
The first cuts. A lot of gymnastics on the rock.
The first steps on the curve.
The first steps on the curve.
The first large piece has been removed.
The first large piece has been removed.
Work in progress.
Work in progress.
Frost on the stone.
Frost on the stone.
Dust at sunset.
Dust at sunset.
A new workday just before Christmas — it's cold, but the sun is shining.
A new workday just before Christmas — it's cold, but the sun is shining.
Drilling holes serves to remove larger pieces of rock, which can then be chipped away - hole by hole.
Drilling holes serves to remove larger pieces of rock, which can then be chipped away - hole by hole.
Work in progress.
Work in progress.
Loads of mud.
Loads of mud.

Working with a large core drill.
Working with a large core drill.
My assistant.
My assistant.
I drill holes in the top so I can insert the splitting wedges.
I drill holes in the top so I can insert the splitting wedges.
It's done.
It's done.

Well done.
Well done.

Meanwhile it's March - I'm slowly working my way into the stone.
Meanwhile it's March - I'm slowly working my way into the stone.
I have taken on the color of the stone.
I have taken on the color of the stone.
Alright!
Alright!
A wonderfully sunny day before Easter.
A wonderfully sunny day before Easter.
The shape is slowly taking form.
The shape is slowly taking form.
It's making progress with the form.
It's making progress with the form.
A wonderful sunset in May.
A wonderful sunset in May.
Splitting off another larger piece.
Splitting off another larger piece.
I'll continue working in the front area.
I'll continue working in the front area.
Removal from the drilled-out piece.
Removal from the drilled-out piece.
Work in progress - with new perspectives.
Work in progress - with new perspectives.
Another perspective.
Another perspective.
The wooden blocks indicate roughly the size of the base I plan to get on the Bohuslän coast in Sweden in June.
The wooden blocks indicate roughly the size of the base I plan to get on the Bohuslän coast in Sweden in June.
I am visiting the quarries of the company HALLINDENS Granit. This is where my block (Bohus Grey) is quarried and sawn to the required size.
I am visiting the quarries of the company HALLINDENS Granit. This is where my block (Bohus Grey) is quarried and sawn to the required size.

Nearby in Hunnebostrand, Sweden, I am visiting my sculpture 'Planet Babylon', which stands beautifully by the water as part of the Uddenskulptur 2026 exhibition.
Nearby in Hunnebostrand, Sweden, I am visiting my sculpture 'Planet Babylon', which stands beautifully by the water as part of the Uddenskulptur 2026 exhibition.
After my stay in Sweden, I am continuing my work on the stone. It was right at the beginning of a heatwave with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees.
After my stay in Sweden, I am continuing my work on the stone. It was right at the beginning of a heatwave with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees.
Working and sweating under the parasol — another breakthrough needs to be achieved.
Working and sweating under the parasol — another breakthrough needs to be achieved.
https://video.wixstatic.com/video/db4c0e_99950ae5987c4c189062c537b6dda0da/1080p/mp4/file.mp4
Another breakthrough through the rock using drilling and splitting.
Work in progress - end of June.
Work in progress - end of June.
https://video.wixstatic.com/video/db4c0e_5409af4c38bb4f44b8270efeb53e7e32/1080p/mp4/file.mp4
I am continuing my work on the interior of the sculpture. Now it’s getting tight for working ...
Working with the "Ballerina" compressed-air tool.
Working with the "Ballerina" compressed-air tool.
And often handmade, without machines.
And often handmade, without machines.
Tool shop - all they can 'eat' ...
Tool shop - all they can 'eat' ...
The base for the sculpture is being delivered from Sweden.
The base for the sculpture is being delivered from Sweden.
More than 16 tons heavy.
More than 16 tons heavy.
The sculpture is turned so that I can work on the underside.
The sculpture is turned so that I can work on the underside.
... from underneath ...
... from underneath ...
I unexpectedly made the acquaintance of my subtenant. She has apparently been living under the stone for quite some time and now has to find a new home.
I unexpectedly made the acquaintance of my subtenant. She has apparently been living under the stone for quite some time and now has to find a new home.
The sculpture is fixed in this position.
The sculpture is fixed in this position.
Everything went great.
Everything went great.
Work in progress.
Work in progress.
We begin with the coarse grinding on the inside.
We begin with the coarse grinding on the inside.
Larger pieces still need to be removed.
Larger pieces still need to be removed.
The outer shape is almost finished.
The outer shape is almost finished.
Tool shop ...
Tool shop ...
Rough smoothing of the surface.
Rough smoothing of the surface.
It takes approximately 14 sanding passes until the sculpture is polished.
It takes approximately 14 sanding passes until the sculpture is polished.
Let's go.
Let's go.

 
 
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