Custom Foam Sculpture
Empowering Foam Sculpture: The Awe-Inspiring Medicine Wheel
Culture, Creativity & Public Art | Foam Sculpture
The MpowR Medicine Wheel is a custom foam sculpture designed, hand-sculpted and installed by TBKD in Edmonton, Alberta. Developed in collaboration with MpowR – Community and Organizational Supports leadership and Cree Nation Elders, the public art installation combines traditional sculpting craftsmanship with a distinctive three-dimensional composition.
At the centre of the artwork is a medicine wheel surrounded by four custom animal head sculptures, each projecting outward in a cardinal direction: a wolf in the north, an eagle in the east, a bison in the south and a bear in the west. Sculpted mountains, water, sky and clouds complete the composition, bringing natural landscape elements together within the dimensional artwork.
project
features
Entirely
Hand-Sculpted
From the central medicine wheel to the four detailed animal heads and surrounding landscape, every sculptural element was shaped by hand without CNC routing, robotic carving or 3D printing.
Custom Animal
Head Sculptures
A wolf, eagle, bison and bear emerge from the medicine wheel in the four cardinal directions, creating a dimensional composition that combines animal sculpture with natural landscape elements.
Concept to
Installation
TBKD developed the creative concept and design, collaborated with MpowR leadership and Cree Nation Elders, fabricated the complete sculpture and installed the finished public artwork in Edmonton.
Custom Head Sculpture
Four Hand-Sculpted Animal Heads
One of the defining features of the MpowR Medicine Wheel is its collection of four custom animal head sculptures, each emerging from the central wheel in a different cardinal direction. TBKD sculpted every animal head entirely by hand, developing its distinctive anatomy, facial features and dimensional form without computer-controlled carving or 3D printing.
Wolf Head Sculpture — North
The wolf head projects from the northern section of the medicine wheel. Its sculpted facial features and dimensional form were developed by hand and integrated into the surrounding composition.
Eagle Head Sculpture — East
Positioned in the east, the eagle head introduces a contrasting sculptural form with its distinctive beak and bird anatomy. The head was individually shaped and integrated into the larger artwork.
Bison Head Sculpture — South
The southern section features a custom bison head sculpture, with the animal’s recognizable proportions and facial structure translated into dimensional foam.
Bear Head Sculpture — West
The western section incorporates a sculpted bear head, completing the four-animal composition surrounding the central medicine wheel. Together, these four custom head sculptures demonstrate the level of detail achievable through traditional hand sculpting, while maintaining a cohesive visual relationship with the overall artwork.
TALK IS FLAT - DO IT 3D
Hand-Sculpted Foam Sculpture — No CNC or Robotic Carving
Every sculptural component of the MpowR Medicine Wheel was created entirely by hand. Rather than using CNC routers, robotic sculpting equipment or 3D printers, TBKD developed the forms through traditional sculpting techniques, shaping the animal heads, medicine wheel and surrounding landscape directly.
This hands-on process allowed us to refine the contours, proportions and details of each animal while developing the overall composition as one cohesive sculpture.
why
choose
us
Testimonial
“I’m excited to have The Bees Knees Design amongst our local and creative Canadian suppliers. We have used TBKD to produce several of our innovative projects, from trade shows to display to signage. TBKD understand our creative process. They bring another layer of creativity to the mix through their unique skills and innovative techniques, that always enhance our projects. They are fast, their attention to detail is exceptional and they are true craftsman in their field. Thank you Rio and Natasa – we can’t wait for the next exciting project to bring to life together!”
Debbie Shinehoft, DDB CANADA
Public Art Sculpture — From Creative Concept to Installation
TBKD was responsible for the complete development of the MpowR Medicine Wheel, from the original creative concept and design through hand sculpting, fabrication and final installation in Edmonton. The themed environments project was developed in collaboration with MpowR – Community and Organizational Supports leadership and Cree Nation Elders, who reviewed and approved the artwork.
The completed sculpture features a central medicine wheel, four projecting animal heads and sculpted natural elements representing water, mountains and sky.
Looking for a Custom Foam Sculpture?
Whether you’re envisioning a large-scale public art installation, detailed animal sculptures, custom head sculptures or a one-of-a-kind dimensional artwork, TBKD can bring your concept to life. From creative design and traditional hand sculpting to specialty finishing and installation, we transform ideas into distinctive three-dimensional creations. Contact TBKD to discuss your custom foam sculpture project and discover what’s possible.