Course Description

An exciting opportunity to discover the potential of making sculpture from the metal things we throw away. Beginning with a talk by the tutor on the relevant work of other artists using scrap metal, (such as Helen Denerley and even Bob Dylan), techniques and materials, and a discussion on ideas in a slide show on the first evening. The next morning we will be in the forge with a practical introduction to basic blacksmithing techniques and welding.

As part of the course, you should bring a few suitable pieces of scrap steel with you. For the most part, made from ferrous metal (steel that is magnetic) as non-ferrous metals such as brass, aluminium and zinc can be bolted together but are hard to weld. The focus of the course is a consideration of the visual possibilities these items offer, singly or as part of a structure, and through discussion and experimentation, transforming them into individual pieces of sculpture for house or garden. Sculptures may be made entirely from scrap: a three-dimensional collage of found components, or be made from a combination of scrap and new metal, re-working found pieces and combining them with newly forged material.

You will learn fundamental blacksmithing processes such as tapering, bending and hot cutting. You will also gain an understanding of MIG welding techniques and rivetting, for assembling different metals and components. While you may arrive with initial ideas about your shapes and forms, the challenge will be to keep an open mind which will help you to create something truly unique. You might expect to produce a number of small pieces or one larger piece of work during the course.

Timetable

Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above

Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.

6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).

8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.

Daily timetable

Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.

From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).

Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Last day

Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.

Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.

(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

Course Materials

Included

• On this course the College will supply some materials:
• All stock metal and fuel costs.
• The forge is stocked with hand tools – files, rasps, etc. for you to use.
• Goggles (must be worn), leather aprons, work gloves, welding gauntlets, welding helmets and ear defenders can be borrowed from the College Forge.

What students need to bring

• A few suitable pieces of scrap steel. Perhaps these are old tools and implements from your garden shed that might otherwise be thrown away. Or you could make a trip to your local recycling centre. Ideas for suitable scrap items might be washers, chains, saw blades, pliers, window stays, old garden tools, trowels or anything with an unusual profile or form, even tin cans are great for cutting up and adding detail. Ideally all made from ferrous metal (steel that is magnetic) Please note, non-ferrous metals such as brass, aluminium and zinc can be bolted together but are hard to weld. Also, rusty pitted material can be very texturally interesting but will require some time to clean/grind if you want to weld it.
• Sketchbook, pens
• Working clothes
• Steel toe capped boots
• Plenty of water
• You will need to wear clothing suitable for workshop use, together with steel toe capped boots. Please note that cotton or wool clothing is preferable to nylon or other synthetics. A pair of cotton jeans is far more protective than a pair of nylon trousers. Shorts do not provide necessary protection.
• For your safety it is mandatory to wear steel toe capped safety boots when undertaking a course in the Forge. You must provide your own footwear and bring them with you to wear on the course. If you fail to bring suitable footwear, you will not be able to take part in the course. Safety boots can be purchased from most tool hire shops and builders’ merchants as well as online.
• Protective clothing supplied:
• Leather aprons, work gloves, safety spectacles and ear defenders are provided in the Forge, and suitable protective clothing must be worn. You may bring any of these if you have them. If, for example, you have particularly large or small hands, your own work gloves are likely to be a better fit.

Available to buy

• Available from shop:
• Items of drawing equipment will be available for purchase from the College Craft Shop.
• Other materials will be provided in the Forge.

Please note: This course will be in the Forge which is a 10 minute walk from the main house through the walled garden, or can be accessed by car. As this course is held in the Forge, morning coffee and afternoon tea will be held in the nearby Carrington Studio. You will return to the main house for lunch. Please note that tutor supervision is always required when you are working in the Forge. The tutor’s instruction on health and safety will include access to and use of the power hammer. Evening working – the Forge is not open in the evening.