METAL CASTING

Personal Work · Bronze & Brass
Sculptural work developed through lost-wax casting and experimental metal casting techniques.

Lost-wax casting · Ceramic shell · Refractory molds · Sand molds · Centrifugal casting

During my Fine Arts studies, I focused on metal casting, exploring a range of traditional and experimental techniques. This selection brings together some of those techniques alongside some of my personal sculptural work.

CERAMIC SHELL MOLD

Ceramic shell investment molds allow for highly detailed reproduction and the casting of complex forms, including intricate surfaces and hollow cores.

ALIENATION, 2020

Brass · Grey Pulpis marble base
41 × 19 × 16 cm

ceramic shell mold – lost wax casting process

Many of these processes begin with sculpting by hand using casting wax. Metal modelling tools and a Bunsen burner are used to heat the tools and shape the wax.
The casting sprue (or tree) is then created according to the specific requirements of the piece. A layer of shellac is applied to help the subsequent mold layers adhere to the surface.
The mold is built through controlled dipping baths using colloidal silica and molochite of various grain sizes. Finally, a layer of fiberglass is applied before dewaxing and firing.
A final safety dip helps achieve a better finish after firing, leaving the mold ready for casting.
Cleaning, finishing and applying the patina complete the process.