Published on: 29 January 2026



Year 12 student Thom Yates has turned stainless steel and titanium medical instruments into a striking sculpture titled Le Cygne in Steel Major. The piece transforms clinical components – hip and knee implants, femoral parts, and trauma plates – into a swan, a symbol of beauty, strength, and renewal.

Inspired by his father, a surgeon, Thom was fascinated by the shapes and precision of medical tools. He layered the parts to create feather-like sections, balancing the wings to achieve a sense of industrial elegance. The mix of materials gives the sculpture both texture and strength, transforming everyday medical components into something graceful.

“Working with unique materials pushed me to see beauty in unexpected places and to experiment beyond traditional ways of making art,” Thom explains.

The swan also carries a strong sense of place. Symbolic of Christ Church and the nearby Swan River, it connects the sculpture to the School’s identity. The work was completed over four weeks, bringing Thom’s sketches to life and showcasing his creativity and craftsmanship.

The title Le Cygne in Steel Major reflects both the inspiration and the material. Le Cygne, meaning “The Swan” in French, comes from the cello and piano movement in The Carnival of the Animals. With the sculpture set for display in the School’s future PERFORM building, the musical reference felt natural. In Steel Major nods to both the piece’s key – commonly G major – and the stainless steel that forms the sculpture. Ultimately, the title brings together the swan, the music, and the material into a single idea.

Last year, Thom’s sculpture of a lower leg, also made from medical instruments, was a crowd favourite at the Senior School Art Exhibition. Reflecting on his experience, he adds, “I’m grateful to the Christ Church Art program and my family for supporting me, giving me the chance to experiment and develop my ideas.”

Le Cygne in Steel Major is currently on display in the School’s Main Reception, inviting viewers to see medical instruments in an entirely new light.