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| ©2017 Barry Smith - A few fish faces!!! |
The
School of Funky Fish I entered into the Aspects Art Show won the best contemporary prize; and was also sold. I have started a second School of Funky Fish which, like my leaf inspired
Bending sculptures, might become a series. There were seven fish in the first school; but I'm not sure if this school will be five or seven. I will decide once the next batch are complete.
The fish bodies are made from curved sections of old brass jardinieres; and the head, fins, tail etc are all made from various bits of silver-plated EPNS - mostly offcuts of trays I have harvested when cutting up trays for bigger works.
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| ©2017 Barry Smith - Setting out and selecting potential components |
After making a selection of bits and doing a bit of a mock-up it is off to the grinding and polishing bench where the pieces show their true metallic beauty.
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| ©2017 Barry Smith - Rough mock-ups |
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| ©2017 Barry Smith - More rough mock-ups |
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| ©2017 Barry Smith - Pre-drilled and polished bits on the workbench |
I managed to assemble a couple of the fish this afternoon - the riveting is a fiddly job and can take some time. I particularly like the baby fish - about 15cm long.
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| ©2017 Barry Smith - Quite a cute baby fish |
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| ©2017 Barry Smith - Medium sized Funky Fish |
The riveting process associated with assembling the fish usually encourages me to polish my homemade riveting tools. I love the contrast between the rust of the recycled rods and bolts and the drilled and polished work faces.
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| ©2017 Barry Smith - Homemade riveting tools |
A good Friday in the garage-studio - relaxing.
Really like your fun fish.
ReplyDeleteFun funky fish :)
ReplyDeleteWell done for winning the award!
ReplyDeleteSandy in the UK
Congratulations, Barry on winning the award! I'm not surprised because I think your Funky Fish are my favourites among so many of your works that I love. Owning a set of your fish is definitely on my list of desirables.
ReplyDelete