Art is seen as a solitary endeavor. Something artists toil away on in complete isolation. And when they emerge from the darkness of their studio, they are holding a completed artwork that is ready to be sent out into the world.
Sculptors certainly can work this way, but if they ever want their clay artwork turned into a more permanent material-like, say, bronze-then they must enlist the help of other artists and artisans, sometimes a whole fleet of them, at one of the bronze art foundries that dot North America.
Recently, Colorado sculptor Bryce Pettit invited us to visit his main bronze art foundry, Art City Bronze (formerly Baer Bronze Fine Art Foundry) in Springville, Utah. The biggest takeaway I had from the experience of watching his magnificent sculpture move its way through the process was that bronze art casting requires a team effort from people who are skilled in a vast variety of processes. Pettit's clay work is the source, and ultimately the guiding light, but he entrusts others to do what they do best to create a work of art in metal that is as close as possible to his version in clay. Even after seeing it all happen firsthand, it still looks like magic.
"Every part of the process is an art form," says Jeffrey Wright, president and owner of Art City Bronze. "And that's what makes it all work."
For your enjoyment, with many thanks to Wright and Pettit, here is a photographic journey into the bronze process as we follow Pettit's large bronze eagle, Vertical Limit, from clay to finished bronze.
Denne historien er fra July 2023-utgaven av American Art Collector.
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Denne historien er fra July 2023-utgaven av American Art Collector.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
FULL EXPOSURE
Photographer Conor Martin documents the present using photographic methods of the past.
Autumnal Light
The landscapes and nature scenes of painter Jennifer Sowders are irresistibly tactile, filled with varying textures that seem to leap off the canvas.
Art for All
Members of Art Dealers Association of America come together for a philanthropic affair.
Modern Marketplace
Redwood Art Group brings together the San Diego region for another class-act celebration of contemporary artwork.
An Enchanting Evening
Scottsdale Artists’ School knows how to throw an art party.
Timeless Tales
Soft, warm undertones underscore the mood of enchantment that runs through Nom Kinnear King’s paintings.
Next Exit New York
Coming off his series that focused on San Francisco and Los Angeles freeway signs, artist Eric Nash’s sights are now set on New York. Now on view at George Billis Gallery's Manhattan location are seven of Nash's new oil paintings and two drawings that explore the signage of New York City freeways. Although Nash's work is tightly rendered, he doesn’t consider himself a photorealist, but rather someone who utilizes those techniques to express ideas.
Monster Mash
Vampires, witches, ghouls and all things that go bump in the night are the theme of the exhibition Monster Mash, now at Abend Gallery.
Inside/Outside
Those familiar with Geoffrey Johnson's populated by inky figures and trailing shadows that bleed into the wet streets, and architectural elements obscured to varying degrees by the misty atmosphere.
Bold Figures; Bold Color
For Brooklyn based painter J Louis, it’s all about balance, which can mean many different things in a composition, but for Louis, it’s about balancing his female figures among a unique landscape of color.
