From Clay To Bronze

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From gesture to permanence.

The lost-wax method of casting bronze was invented in China over 10,000 years ago. While technology has evolved, the process remains extremely labor-intensive. LeQuire has worked in foundries in Italy and the United States and is well versed in the subtleties of the craft.

This exhibit includes clay models, molds, wax castings, and finished bronze sculpture, along with photographs that help to explain the process. Finished works include many of LeQuire's small-scale figure studies. The show promotes the value of traditional practices—studying the human figure and working from life. The exhibit demystifies the bronze casting process and is of interest especially to sculpture students and collectors.

Blacksmiths working with heated metal inside a workshop, wearing safety gear including helmets and gloves.

LOST WAX CASTING PROCESS

  • A person sculpting a clay bust of a woman with a headscarf, while a young girl observes. The room contains shelves with various sculptures and busts.

    SCULPTING CLAY

  • Close-up of a sculpture in progress, showing the large, partially carved clay or wax form of a pair of boots surrounded by a worktable. A person wearing blue gloves and jeans is in the background, working with tools.

    RUBBER MOLD

  • A man sculpting a large bust in a sculpture studio, surrounded by various sculptures and art supplies.

    MOTHER MOLD

  • Cross-section of a rubber and plaster Mold with a wax casting inside.

    CASTING WAX

  • A dog in a workshop with its head tilted up, looking at the camera with tongue out, next to a large wooden sculpture of a dog on a worktable.

    CHASING WAX

  • Factory conveyor system with multiple metal fixtures and fans in the background.

    INVESTMENT MOLD & BURN OUT KILN

  • Worker pouring molten metal into a mold in a foundry.

    CASTING BRONZE

  • A person welding a large bronze statue of a woman wearing a hat, in a workshop with industrial equipment and lighting.

    CHASING BRONZE

  • An artist is sculpting a bronze bust of a woman in a studio, looking closely at his work while holding a sculpting tool. Shelves with other sculptures and art supplies are in the background.

    FINISH WITH PATINA

A close-up of a bronze-colored sculpture of a woman's face with wavy hair and closed eyes. Nike Mask.
A bronze sculpture of a woman lying on her side, with her head resting on her arm, on a rocky base, against a plain grey background.
A sculpture of a woman lying on her stomach, resting her chin on her crossed arms, with a textured surface and a dark base, set against a dark grey background.
Bronze sculpture of a woman crouching on a rock, resting her chin on her hand, set against a dark gray background.
Bronze sculpture of a reclining woman resting her head on her arm, mounted on a black base.
Bronze sculpture of a resting woman lying on her side with her eyes closed, on a gray background.
Foundry Workers pouring molten bronze in a foundry.
A worker in protective gear pouring molten metal into a container in a foundry.
Rubber mold, mother mold, and wax. Sculpture mold making.
A rubber mold, mother mold, and wax casting of woman with chickens. Sculpture. Mold making
A person holding a sculpture of a dog's head, which appears to be made of wax, in an workshop with tools and workbenches in the background.
Close-up of a wax sculpture of a dog in a workshop setting.
Sculpture of a woman with a chicken on her head, cast in wax and in a mold.
A large bronze sculpture of a human face in progress, placed on a worktable in a foundry with various tools and equipment in the background.
A person working on a rubber mold of a sculpture in a workshop.
A person working on a sculpture of a woman wearing a hat, with a welding helmet nearby in an indoor workshop.
A person sculpting a large sculpture in an art studio, surrounded by other sculptures and art supplies.
Person mixing white plaster in a bucket at an art studio, with tools and supplies in the background.
Close-up of an artist pouring brown liquid rubber to make a mold of a clay sculpture.
Person pouring a large amount of rubber into a mold on a worktable. In the background, people are working or sitting at tables in a workshop or creative space.
A man working on a gold-colored bronze sculpture in a workshop, surrounded by tools, scaffolding, and a fire extinguisher.
Close-up of a sliced rubber and plaster mold with a wax sculpture inside.
A group of large, unfinished bronze statues of women, one holding a sign that reads 'Votes for Women,' in a foundry. The statues are surrounded by tools and scaffolding.
A person is working in a workshop, chasing a bronze sculpture of a woman wearing a hat, standing on a wooden base. The workshop contains tools and equipment, with exposed ceiling pipes and a garage door in the background.
A sculpture in progress of a human figure made from clay with a material wrapped around it as the first layer for a rubber mold, situated in an artist's studio with shelves of various sculptures and figurines in the background.
A bronze sculpture of a man and a sheep, with other sculpture projects and tools visible in a workshop environment.
A metal sculpture of a man in a suit, holding a dog, in a workshop setting with tools and equipment in the background.
Two women working on a large sculpture of a person, applying a layer of a substance to the base of the sculpture in an art studio.
A man working on a large bronze sculpture of two people, woman, both wearing hats. The sculpture is on a wheeled platform and the woman is holding a sign with inscriptions. Woman's Suffrage.
Molds for Sculpture
Close up of the inside of a sculpture mold
Shelves filled with molds for sculpture.
A cluttered storage area with tools, paint cans, and miscellaneous sculpture items. Sculpture of mold
Shelf holding large, irregularly shaped molds of sculptures in a workshop or storage space.
Stacked large pieces of white sculptural molds stored on wooden shelves.
Shelves filled with molds, some broken, stored in a workshop or storage area.
Close-up of bronze sculptures depicting a man and a woman sitting opposite each other, with two women sculpted in a different style in the background.
Bronze and wax sculptures of a woman with chickens.
A bronze sculpture of a woman balancing a large urn on her head, with detailed features and a sleek finish, against a dark background.
Bronze sculpture of a woman standing on a rock with another woman at her feet, on a black base, against a dark background.
A sculpture of a woman with a chicken on her head, set against a plain dark background.
Bronze sculpture of a woman with short hair, standing with one leg slightly bent, arms raised above her head with palms pressed together, on a black rectangular base.
Bronze sculpture of a standing woman with short hair, one leg slightly bent, her arms behind her back, on a black rectangular base.
A sculpture of a seated woman with one arm raised behind her head, sitting.
Bronze sculpture of a woman with short hair, wearing a fitted dress, standing in a relaxed pose with her left hand on her head, eyes closed and a smiling expression.
Bronze sculpture of a woman with her eyes closed, her right arm raised with her hand on her head, and a relaxed expression.
Sculpture of a seated, semi-nude man with long hair and beard on a textured base, displayed on a black platform.
Close-up of a bronze bust sculpture of a woman's face with wavy hair, set against a plain gray background.
Bronze sculpture of a standing female figure with short hair, holding an object in her right hand, against a plain gray background.
Bronze sculpture of a standing woman holding a stick, with short hair and a contemplative expression.
Bronze sculpture of a standing female figure with arms raised behind her head.
Bronze sculpture of a woman standing next to another woman, with one hand on her hip, set against a dark gray background.