WENDIE MCCAFFLEY SCULPTOR
MEDIUM & LARGE FORMAT SCULPTURE -
FORGED STEEL SCULPTURE Exhibiting Soho Galleries and Art Park SYDNEY & MELBOURNE
For
the past 19 years I have worked in the medium of forged steel, predominantly
on ornamental architectural ironwork commissions. Working
within a 1880s industrial blacksmithing workshop at the Eveleigh Locomotive
Railway yards I have had the unusual opportunity of having some pretty serious
gear at my disposal. I utilize machinery that was associated in the past with
the forging of parts for steam Locomotives.
In
the new series of sculptures the initial
conception was to create feature pieces with a retro 60 – 70 s retro feel, to
add ‘groove’ to any space.
Composing
together irregular geometric shapes creates a strong visual effect and by means
of certain methods some parts are in silhouette while others have more of a
flat surface. These surfaces acquire an earthy textural quality during forging.
It is this sort of immediate dimensional change in the steel that is so
fascinating about forged steel. When hot it responds to the hand (or
power hammer) at the bidding to the imagination.
