Morning all
So a quick update, all is going well at this end with the mould making some of which I have photographed. I have been trying a new cement based sand that I saw being used at the 7th International Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art in Latvia last Summer. A big thanks to Prof. Ken Payne (Buffalo State University) and Elizabeth Helfer (Sculptor) for their information and advice on this material.
Due to the experimental nature of this material it’s all gone a bit experimental back here. I have decided a change of tact and will now be casting this piece in aluminium as there are still too many issues that need resolving with the larger furnace. I have tested another furnace which appears to be working well and am aiming to cast the first section of the work this weekend coming, with a mind to cast the second section the following week.
More images to come am pleased with how it’s all coming together.
For artist Stephen Coles attending the 5th International Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art in Ironbridge in 2006 gave direction to his love of making and artistic practice. Experiencing the materiality and spectacle of iron casting had a deep impact on his artistic explorations and began a love of foundry practice and metal casting that defines his career today. Stephen studied sculpture at West Wales School of Arts, Carmarthen, achieving a 1st class Hons degree before winning a full scholarship to attend the MFA Sculpture programme at Alfred University, New York. After graduating with a distinction, he was invited to teach foundry practice in the graduate sculpture programme at Alfred. He then returned home to his native Dorset to continue his own artistic practice and open his own artist led foundry, Coles Castings, which specialises in fine art castings in cast iron, bronze and aluminium. www.colescastings.com @colescastings.com
