University of Kentucky
Cast Iron Sculpture Workshops at the Ironbridge Open Air Museum of Steel Sculpture and related "Iron Works" Exhibition
Institution
University of Kentucky
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
James Wade, Jr.; Benjamin Withers
Abstract
For the past four summers I have helped lead the Cast Iron Sculpture Workshop Series at the Ironbridge Open Air Museum of Steel Sculpture in Coalbrookdale, England as Crewmember and Workshop Advisor. The Workshops consist of 4 weeklong courses that are attended by international artists of all levels. Artists produce new works of sculpture while simultaneously learning the process of casing iron through hands-on instruction. Many of the participants have almost no foundry experience, so my role is to assist and guide them as they explore the process and medium of cast iron. My recent research at the Museum has focused on the product - the cast, sculptural object - rather than the casting process. As part of this focus, I have organized an Exhibition of sculpture produced by 10 artists (5 from the United States and 5 from the United Kingdom) that have been repeat Workshop participants and/or crewmembers. The British contingent consists of established, professional sculptors while the United States representatives are in the beginning stages of their careers. My hope is that this mix will display not only the quality of sculpture produced by the Workshops, but also the many different approaches to creating work using the process. The Exhibition will travel to 4 different venues (including the Museum of Iron, as part of the 300th anniversary of Abraham Darby’s historical innovation, and the Royal Society of British Sculptors) around England over the next two years. My presentation will include images of all phases of the production of cast iron sculpture and will focus on the pieces produced for the Exhibition. Images will include the range of activities from initial concept, through pattern building and mold construction, casting and final preparation.
Cast Iron Sculpture Workshops at the Ironbridge Open Air Museum of Steel Sculpture and related "Iron Works" Exhibition
For the past four summers I have helped lead the Cast Iron Sculpture Workshop Series at the Ironbridge Open Air Museum of Steel Sculpture in Coalbrookdale, England as Crewmember and Workshop Advisor. The Workshops consist of 4 weeklong courses that are attended by international artists of all levels. Artists produce new works of sculpture while simultaneously learning the process of casing iron through hands-on instruction. Many of the participants have almost no foundry experience, so my role is to assist and guide them as they explore the process and medium of cast iron. My recent research at the Museum has focused on the product - the cast, sculptural object - rather than the casting process. As part of this focus, I have organized an Exhibition of sculpture produced by 10 artists (5 from the United States and 5 from the United Kingdom) that have been repeat Workshop participants and/or crewmembers. The British contingent consists of established, professional sculptors while the United States representatives are in the beginning stages of their careers. My hope is that this mix will display not only the quality of sculpture produced by the Workshops, but also the many different approaches to creating work using the process. The Exhibition will travel to 4 different venues (including the Museum of Iron, as part of the 300th anniversary of Abraham Darby’s historical innovation, and the Royal Society of British Sculptors) around England over the next two years. My presentation will include images of all phases of the production of cast iron sculpture and will focus on the pieces produced for the Exhibition. Images will include the range of activities from initial concept, through pattern building and mold construction, casting and final preparation.