RELIC 07: ORBIT — ALUMINIUM

Introducing RELIC 07: ORBIT — the seventh work in the RELIC series of singular metal artworks by Charles Lethaby.

Each RELIC is conceived as a 1/1 object. No two are the same. Individually machined, engraved, finished and resolved by hand, every piece exists as a unique artefact — defined by both its imagery and the material from which it is made.

ORBIT explores humanity's relationship with space and the extraordinary engineering required to sustain a presence beyond Earth. The work considers the delicate balance between technological achievement and the vastness of the environment in which it operates, capturing the ambition, precision and vulnerability of objects placed into orbit.

The composition reflects the intersection of science, exploration and human ingenuity — a celebration of the machines and structures that allow us to observe, navigate and understand our planet from beyond its atmosphere.

The artwork is permanently laser engraved into the aluminium surface, rather than printed or applied. Areas of exposed metal interact with the engraved detail, allowing the image to shift in character as light moves across its surface.

The aluminium is carefully finished to retain its distinctive metallic character, creating subtle variations in tone and reflection that reinforce the physical nature of the work.

Sized to the proportions of a traditional baseball card, each piece measures approximately 89mm × 64mm, translating a familiar collectible format into a permanent metal artwork.

RELIC 07: ORBIT is a singular reflection on humanity's presence beyond Earth — where extraordinary engineering meets the immense scale and uncertainty of space.