Salvaging patinated copper metal

 

I rarely turn down a gift of copper sheet or plate; and certainly do not turn down a gift of an old patinated copper laundry boiler. At least 12 months ago I had put aside the patinated base of a copper hot water tank. I had used the metal from the side of the tank to make the 100 boats for my sculpture Loss for the Betrayal and Loss exhibition 2023 in Scotland.

As you can see from the opening photos the laundry copper delivered quite a stash of metal once it was cut up with a blade in my side grinder and my bench top guillotine. The photo below shows how I marked the boiler up for cutting.

I will be reforming (hammering) the flattened bottom of the copper to make a large bird bath; the top edges will become leaves and the sides will become a variety of things including smaller bowls and peace doves. The photo below shows a circle of metal cut ready for a rustic bowl - gorgeous natural blue patina.

The base of the hot water system has delivered pieces for leaves and the circular base will become a large bowl which I have started as you can see from the last photo. Very grungy but natural patina on these hot water base pieces.

It gives me a lot a joy to know that I have continued to use salvaged metal in my work and have not purchase any new sheet copper for well over 10 years. Some folk think it wrong that I chop up old wares; but I think it is better to repurpose the metal for art rather than it simply going to the tip or sold as scrap. The folk who gifted the laundry copper will be offered the bird bath when it is made.