An association of Cornwall's finest craft makers

Smith, Tim
Sculpture

In 1981 I completed a foundation course at Canterbury College of Art, and then on to a degree course in fine art sculpture at Cheltenham. I now live and work in North Cornwall. I have been making sculptural pieces out of recycled copper shapes for over 15 years.

These copper shapes are soldered, brazed or welded together to form bowls or dish shapes. The surfaces are then coloured and textured by enamelling and patinating, this is a process of corrosion or decay, I like to imagine my work on Bodmin Moor, like a piece of ancient machinery that nature is reclaiming, slowly corroding and being smothered by lichens.

The process of enamelling involves fusing glass on the copper in a kiln or with a blow torch at temperatures of about 800˚c. The colour and texture or patina is created by covering the copper with different chemicals, which attack the metal.