Diamondhead / Web Page / COLLECTION SERIES MARBLE SCULPTURE by Martin Cooney / For Sale

Posted on March 28, 2026March 28, 2026 by Martin Cooney, Stone Sculptor

Diamondhead / For Sale / The Liberty Collection

Colorado Yule Marble / 11 x 10 x 27″ / 58.8 lbs / SN2660301

Currently Displayed at The Martin Cooney STONEWORKS

121 Liberty Street, Council Grove, Kansas 66846

Please email martincooneysculptor@gmail.com for sales information

A sleek, abstract white sculpture with smooth curves, set against a dark background.

~ Liberty Collection Sculpture No. 26 ~

With THE COLLECTION SERIES fast approaching one hundred sculptures, I have prioritized variety to the point that just about every preference is catered for. Some people prefer small dainty pieces that slip into their environment without so much as a ripple. Others prefer what I call statement sculpture that announce themselves and stare back at you from across the room. And of the two extremes ‘Diamondhead’ is certainly a member of the latter category, as his bold stance and complex profile manage to stretch the boundaries of even the most evocative of my abstractionist, fluid form Curvilinear reductionism. While he coils and poses like a snake – he writhes and slithers in such a convoluted contortion that his appearance brings something of an apparition to his surroundings. From one aspect, he is full-bodied and bold. From another he’s sly and defensive. And from yet another angle he is agile … and about to strike! He of course takes his place within the Beast category within my COLLECTION SERIES Marble Sculpture, although his vibrant abstractionist form could easily afford him membership to that category too. Ultimately, he is just about whatever you see in him … of course.

A smooth, abstract white sculpture with organic shapes and curves.

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Several distinct categories within THE COLLECTION SERIES have developed as a result of the Direct Method carving that I employ in order to create my vision of the world around me. For instead formulating an idea of what to carve and then selecting a suitably shaped rough block from which to extract the notion, I focus instead on the marble itself, noting its shape, and perhaps its markings and hues, then turn my attention to just what these dynamics recall in my mind’s eye. Because as a carver, rather than painter, I naturally observe the world in regard to shape, form and energy; I look to capture the inherent defining characteristics of the animal world, human form, architecture, nature, even mountains and geological formations. And once an idea takes hold, my task evolves into forming a workable alliance with the stone itself. And so, a balance between stone and carver is necessary to sculpt an ambitious piece like ‘Diamondhead’, as it all begins with the splitting process that lies at the root of my sculptural style: Split and Carve, Direct Method Marble Sculpture.

A sleek, abstract white sculpture with smooth curves and a pointed top, displayed against a dark backdrop.

~ Please click on an image to enlarge ~

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A minimalist sculpture with a sleek, elongated shape, set against a backdrop of soft, flowing fabric.

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During the course of carving The Liberty Collection I reached a rather convenient half-way point within the three-ton slab of Colorado Yule Marble’s gradual reduction into sculpture. Twenty-five pieces had been carved at this point, and since I split the slab right down the middle at the outset of the series, I decided to take stock of just where my sculptural journey had taken me: and the short answer was that a new and exciting development had taken me into a vertical plane that pivoted on a small base in support of a light and airy carving that seemed to sit almost as upon a plinth. This idea, or development, began with ‘Lofty Perch’ and had grown and refined during ‘Tipping Point’ to the point that it had really taken hold of my imagination. And so, it was with this verticality in mind that I split the rough block from the slab to begin the process that would result in my carving ‘Diamondhead’.

The carving process went well enough, although it became quite involved at one point as I carefully honed the Curvilinear top piece – necessitating a prone position upon the banker in the workshop for the evocative rough block to better manage the delicate removal of marble within such narrow margins defined by ‘Diamondhead’s’ diamond head.

A close-up view of a smooth, white stone with a flat top and sharp edges, set against a dark background.

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Close-up view of granular white salt with sparkling crystals on a textured surface.

~ Twinkle, twinkle little calcite crystals ~

The reference to diamonds in this the 27^th Liberty Collection Sculpture evokes not only the serpentine nature of the beast, but the captivating glitter of thousands of tiny spots of light created when I split the rough block from The Liberty Slab, and in doing so revealed a myriad of calcium crystals that twinkle and sparkle to dazzling effect when viewed in person. All that is required to witness this glorious natural spectacle is a strong direct source of light – any spotlight will do, as each minute flat surface will pick up and reflect each momentary chance encounter. So, the more lights, the more crystals will twinkle. Of course, being a stone sculptor and not a professional photographer, this dazzling effect is notoriously challenging to capture in pictures, but hopefully this little glimpse of the effect should give you some idea of the phenomenon to which I refer.

A sleek, modern sculpture with a curved top and a smooth, white surface, set against a dark background.

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As with all COLLECTION SERIES Marble Sculpture, ‘Diamondhead’s’ pertinent information is carved and etched on the underside of his base. And I am sure he will feel just as comfortable outdoors as inside. I’m equally sure he would love to peer out of a large sunny window – as the normally harmful UV rays are but as nothing to him. Rain, snow, sleet or hail will fall with no effect, although after a period of time outdoors, a little warm water soapy wash will bring him right back to life. So, enjoy your new ‘evocative abstract’ Colorado Yule Marble Sculpture pretty much wherever you wish. He’s yours to enjoy wherever, whenever and however you want. His highly portable characteristics enable him to be simply picked up and moved around, at will.

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~ Diamondhead’s Carving Process ~