Monday morning commuters in Twickenham were surprised and perhaps uplifted to see a work of art arching elegantly over their revamped station forecourt.

The ten foot high sculpture, entitled ‘Restless Kingdom’ is the latest creation of Guy Rushworth Harden, who was commissioned by Richmond upon Thames.

The 40-year-old said it is part of a series on the theme of a recurring equation: ‘‘It is an endless cycle. Our world is mapped by natural events, a mark of that is in the sculpture, an ecological statement, the way we need to balance our lives, the consumption and the giving back.’’ The structure, wrought of cast iron, granite and sandstone, measures four feet round at its widest point and divides as it rises.

“Some people have said it is like a tongue of fire, or the growth of seed, bursting from the pod. Others see the Thames with Eel Pie Island, some have even seen sexual imagery, it’s all natural, all interlinked.

‘‘The round base is the planet, the globe or a seed pod, a bomb even, looking at the negative side of life, representing that containment of energy’’.

The father of two has lived and worked on Eel Pie Island for 15 years. He said: ‘‘I have worked with the council for years. I started the sculpture park with Mike Jensen and was asked to design some benches, originally for the main street, which ended up in the sculpture park.’’ He is also responsible for the giant planters which stand at the entrance to Church Street.

The title Restless Kingdom he said was inspired by the sculpture’s intended site. ‘‘In my head I imagined those time lapse recordings where people are coming in and out of the station at different times of the day, and it seemed the right name.

‘‘I was delighted with the location. When the ironwork went on top of the stone I stood back and knew it was in the right position straight away. It seemed the perfect conclusion to the project.’’ Restless Kingdom will attract attention but at around a tonne and a half in weight, might pose a challenge for even the most mischievous fans on match days.

Its maker was optimistic: ‘‘I like to think that the rugby fans would like it very much, would identify with it. It is no accident that a rugby ball is the oval shape it is, it is aerodynamic and I like to think they would identify the name with the explosive power of the natural world.

“I enjoy sport and love the idea of people feeling exhilarated by it. I would dearly love people on a rainy day to look up and realise they are part of this amazing restless kingdom and it will go on for infinity.’’