Forming the metal.
This public sculpture in copper, by metalworker Pat Downing, of San Diego, CA shows what a subtle and expressive element is the metal copper. Using a technique called “foldforming”, the artist is exploiting the extreme malleability of this metal, once one masters the technique of annealing, restoring the flexibility by reheating the metal every few blows. One can spend a lifetime cold forming copper sheet metal and never become fully aware of this property. In addition, copper can be incited to colorful oxidation, patinas, which the sculptor has employed as a very durable and convincing finish.
Why and How to Anneal Copper, Youtube
Patinaed finished sculpture.
