Steel tales: Crafting the Unseen No.4- The second story behind "Wrought"
It started with an egetal callout for Radiant Pavilion 2024 in March of this year
“THE BRIEF
site specific
An artist is not just the sum of their immediate self, but also defined by the context in which they create. A rich tapestry of not only their individual being, but the people they surround themselves with, the objects in their immediate space, the view from their window, and the culture and community in which they operate.
Site Specific is a new exhibition of work that pays homage to this relationship between the interior and exterior of our being, and the inability to separate oneself from their environment. Each artist pays their respects to their broader identity with use of materials of keepsakes from their own location or place, or by referencing views or sights from their unique perspective and location.”
Below are a few points I considered from the brief
Place or Vision
A material, a keepsake, a view from your window
How the new environment abound me affects my practice
The environment that is an integral part of my practice
How will my piece form a connection to a possible buyer?
Initial photos taken at my new home.
One thing that repeatedly caught my attention was the wrought iron at my new home. I thought I could create something new using its patterns. Here is my proposal for the callout."
Site Specific- “Home Grown Jewellery”
At our new home, constructed in the 1960s, a gas heater occupied the living room upon our arrival. Given the exorbitant gas bills and safety concerns due to its age, we opted to dismantle it and transport it to the nearby steel scrap yard. Amidst this process, the perforated mild steel scrap from within the structure seized my attention. I salvaged it, brought it to my workbench, and fashioned several items, including these bracelets and simple earrings. The material proved ideal for soldering, cleaning, sandblasting, and powder coating.
Over the nearly two-year period since moving into this aged house—now my new home—various renovations have taken place. I continue to unearth old yet intriguing discoveries that reignite my creative spark. Among these findings are recycled materials and patterns reminiscent of wrought iron frames. The generous space of our home grants me the freedom to work wherever inspiration strikes.
Although we have yet to fully settle in and host a proper housewarming, these small discoveries scattered throughout the house evoke a sense of belonging.
The piece I will create will encapsulate this newfound inspiration, featuring new geometric patterns symbolising the essence of “home grown jewellery”.
Initial idea sketch for the proposal
Various wrought iron patterns I bought as pdf
Wrought iron is a soft, ductile, fibrous variety that is produced from a semifused mass of relatively pure iron globules partially surrounded by slag. It usually contains less than 0.1 percent carbon and 1 or 2 percent slag. (Quote from https://www.britannica.com/technology/wrought-iron)
My first focus, and therefore the first wearable object I created, is this cuff bracelet. It was still early in the development process, so you can see that the pattern from the wrought iron was literally introduced into my work. “Wrought no1” : mild steel and 925 silver
First cuff bracelet of "Wrought" Left-constructed but not finished. Right-finished work with powdercoat.
