Friday, January 2, 2015

Beauty of repairs

In my previous post I showed how some of the bowls I was making were splitting - the metal just seemed to be too brittle - one of the unanticipated aspects of using recycled metal.

©2015 Barry Smith - Delicate repairs to split metal bowls.
As you can see from the photo above I have turned the splits into design features by riveting small fragments of solid sterling silver across the gaps using copper rivets for contrast; but at the same time leaving the splits on show. Robyn of Artpropelled fame suggested that I might use the Japanese approach called Kintsugi and sew the gaps with wire. I have done that in the past; but felt that in this instance the plate and rivets would deal with the tension in the metal created by forming the Starburst pattern. I continued to finish hammering the bowls even after they split - bit of a delicate procedure.

A couple of before and after photos follow.

©2015 Barry Smith - Split Starburst Bowls
©2015 Barry Smith - Repaired Starburst Bowls
The metal I used for a few Daily Word bowls was fine and resulted in a nice trio of bowls.

©2015 Barry Smith - Daily Word Bowls
And a couple of Starburst Bowls were also successfully produced using different metal.

©2015 Barry Smith - Starburst Bowls
There is coffee to be husked and roasted and weeds to be whipper-snipped so I best leave it there or I won't be back in to enjoy a cool glass of wine.

8 comments:

  1. I knew you would come up with something Barry. They look great!

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  2. They look amazing - well done.

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  3. That is how most art comes about....fixing and working and solving.....looks like you have solved it and reworked the art... very satisfying isn't it!

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  4. So very Wabi-Sabi, Barry. Love the split bowls even without the mending, they are like craters or something. Then, when mended, I love the contrast between smooth and ordered and the texture of the bowls. Happy weed whipping!

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  5. Lovely and elegant solution, B, the bowls look wonderful!

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  6. ~happy new year b...may the new year continue to keep your spirit and muse alive with and in creating...pushing you to uncover exciting new ways in and of working with metal...the rivets add a fascinating twist to the simplicity of bowls...beautiful as always my dear friend..much love light and blessings~

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  7. Hi R, J, C, VA, C & B - great to connect with you early in 2015 - thanks for your support and comments - encouragement by fellow artists is welcomed. R - you can see we were on the same wavelength. J - thanks. C - as you say the creativity is in findings new directions. VA - the bowls are crater like or fungi like and as you say the contrast in textures highlights both in a positive way. C - thanks. B - thanks for the NY wishes - particularly to having the muse and creating. All go well in 2015 and may many inspirations come your way. B

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  8. love the repairs!!
    gorgeous bowls. you sure have a fine way with metal mister B.

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Comments are welcomed - it is good to connect with fellow travellers.