Rustnstuff: School of Funky Fish 2

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.

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.

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.

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.