Q&A: Meet the artist behind St. Thomas’ new gigantic metal dandelions [Video]

Move over, Jumbo the elephant. 

St. Thomas has a new eye-catching statue in town: a gigantic metal dandelion plant.

The dandelions, dubbed Thriving Roots, shoot up more than 7 metres high and are a symbol of resilience, growth and optimism, the city said, serving as a reminder that beauty can take root in even the toughest conditions.  

The metalwork was the vision and handiwork of B.C.-based blacksmith Kyle Thornley of Metal Mind Forge, and is on display at the roundabout at Highbury Avenue and South Edgeware Road in the city’s northeast. 

CBC’s Matt Allen spoke with Thornley on Afternoon Drive. 

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

MA: Could you describe what the statue looks like?

KT: It is gigantic dandelion flowers in their different stages of development. There are two dandelion buds, two yellow dandelion flowers and two mature fluffy dandelions that are all mounted to a concrete base. At …