Beyond Wonder
Preserving Wonder for future generations
Wonder is a moving meditative sculpture that magically conjures a sense of peace and serenity in all who witness it’s beauty. It has a transcendent quality, evoking a feeling of unity in observers as it elegantly shows the interconnected nature of things. Holding space for nuance and unknowing, allowing truth and mystery to unfold in the cosmic flow of life.
The Story
Wonder was first installed in St Aldhelm’s Medieval Chapel at Malmesbury Abbey in the spring of 2021. It’s was affectionately welcomed by the church and local community but it’s presence was noticed far and wide, amassing over 100 million views as footage of it’s mesmerising & dynamic form went viral across the internet. Is this for real?
Absolutely incredible artwork. Like he turned copper into smoke, or vice versa. I can stare at this for hours… — Reichsprasident via Reddit
Created by artist and inventor Tom Lawton who came to wonder after several years of philosophical meandering and meditation, a mystical calling, two years of conceptual development, then six months of mathematical modeling and precision engineering. Wonder became a reality through the course of the pandemic in 2020 when the world appeared to stand still; Tom used the time to blend artisanal craft with new technology, thanks to advancements in manufacturing not possible five years earlier.
Wonder Magick is the transformative force of awe, creativity, and connection. It sparks inspiration, shifts perspectives, and brings the impossible into reality. It is not bound by tradition but flows through moments of serendipity, deep curiosity, and artistic expression. Wonder Magick bridges people, places, and emotions, inviting them into a state of enchantment and possibility — Tom Lawton
Wonder was made for everyone to enjoy and is inspired by life’s twists & turns, while never intended to be displayed in a religious space it resonates with spiritual and scientifically minded audiences with equal appeal, now finding itself on permanent public display at Malmesbury Abbey in Wiltshire, Twist Museum on London’s Oxford Street, as the master illusion in the Museum of Illusions in Las Vegas, San Diego and Copenhagen, at Inner Light in Pittsburgh, in the Sanctuary beside The Long Table at Brimscombe Mill in Stroud and in hundreds of private residencies worldwide.
“Enigmatic, mysterious and beautiful. Tom’s incredible creation echoes DNA and has the essence of infinity & eternity. The medieval chapel at Malmesbury Abbey seems the most befitting place for Wonder to find its first ever home. Here in the heart of our town for the marvel and enjoyment of us all.” — Reverend Oliver Ross, Malmesbury Abbey
Wonder has also enchanted audiences at The Great Barn in Avebury on invitation of the National Trust, at the Pound Arts Centre in Corsham and at Broughton Hall in Yorkshire where she found herself as a focal point of attraction at the world acclaimed Vision’s of The Future retreat.
“It’s like a cosmic orgasm” — Paris Ackrill, Co-founder Avalon Wellbeing
Wonder has won fans and collectors the globe over including cultural icons such as Ayishat Akanbi, Coldplay, Dr Iain McGilchrist, Jez Sans, Rory Sutherland, Rupert Sheldrake, Belinda Carlisle, Gordana Biernat, Michael Acton Smith, Timmy Mallet, Neil Oliver, Derren Brown, Nitin Sawhney, Professor Brian Cox, Norman Cook, Brian Eno, Chris Ramsay, Kate Raworth, Suzi Perry, Jamie Oliver and many more.
“Wonder is perhaps the greatest ever expression of Heraclitus’s insight that ‘the only constant is change’ — it is a masterpiece in motion” — Dr Iain McGilchrist
“Wonder is an absolute joy to behold. I am ecstatic.” — Rory Sutherland, Chairman of Ogilvy
Protected by a portfolio of internationally registered designs and a utility patent describing further embodiments of the form, Wonder was conceived by Tom and developed by his company Uplifting Products, which experienced a sharp curve of growth and achieved profitability through 2021–23 but subsequently went into liquidation in July 2024 due to global supply chain and financial factors outside of his control.
The liquidation process has been carefully managed by PKF Smith Cooper who were appointed by Tom and his fellow Director Nick Pascoe as soon as the business became insolvent.
Wondrous Opportunity
There now exists the opportunity to rebirth Wonder in a new form, to take advantage of the valuable intellectual property, critical acclaim, good will and immense popular interest that work has garnered — and to ensure that this masterpiece of design is not lost to counterfeiters or to obscurity but instead is celebrated and made available for audiences worldwide to enjoy.
With the generous and benevolent support of a private individual, Tom is in the process of rescuing the rights of Wonder in order to put them into trust to safe guard the protection over this extraordinary creation.
The duo are now reviewing the best way forward to rekindle the project and to establish a way forward that carefully presents Wonder to audiences again.
The remaining assets include one big and one giant bronze Wonder as shown below.
The wider potential of Wonder’s IP includes designs for a ‘slow-worm soil regenerator’. An invention that looks to weave organic matter into fluidic soils in degraded landscapes and has the potential for great impact in revitalising desert soils.
The Way Forward
Peace Machines, The Wonder Trust & Bethlehem
Limited edition production and sale of high quality ‘peace machines’ — to carefully assist the karmic rebalancing of Wonder’s customer legacy.
To donate the Giant Wonder to Eton College.
To donate the Big Wonder to the Palestine Institute of Natural History.
The original Wonder can go on loan to the Peace Centre in Bethlehem.
To generate a fund for a film that documents Wonder’s journey and inspires audiences worldwide who cannot visit the sculpture in person.
Wonder Team
Greg Lynn — orchestration/exhibition/touring of Wonder outside of Eton term times.
Stephen May — support autism charities via availability/distribution of digital assets.
Superluxe — Art agent for limited edition pieces and marketing of digital assets
Trustees
LGC, TL & Sara
