The Casting Process
I am fortunate to work with the highly skilled team at Morris Singer Foundry, who ensure that each of my sculptures is cast in bronze to the highest standard. The process is labour-intensive and steeped in tradition, remaining little changed over several thousand years, yet it allows every detail of the original sculpture to be preserved with precision.
The journey begins with the original clay model, from which a flexible rubber mould is taken to capture every nuance of the form. Molten wax is then poured into the mould in a thin, even layer, creating a hollow wax replica. Once cooled, the wax is removed from the mould, seams are refined, and I make any final adjustments and sign the sculpture.
Wax sprues are attached to guide the flow of molten bronze during casting. A ceramic shell is built around the wax, supported by a ceramic core that ensures the final cast is hollow. Once the shell is hardened, it is heated in an oven to melt out the wax, leaving a precise negative of the sculpture. Bronze ingots, heated to 1,200°C, are poured into this hollow space.
After cooling, the ceramic shell is carefully removed, revealing the raw bronze form. Each section is meticulously cleaned, sandblasted, and welded together. Any imperfections are chased and refined to match the original clay model, and the final surface is achieved through layers of heat and chemical patination, giving the sculpture its desired colour and texture.
This collaboration with the foundry ensures that every bronze carries the integrity, vitality, and detail of the original work, preserving its essence in enduring form.
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