Bronze Casting

Discover the mystery of bronze, from planning a sculpture to casting in bronze. Model a figurative sculpture in wax, then make the ceramic shell moulds, including sprueing the waxes, burning out the ceramic moulds, pouring the metal, and using metal chasing and patina techniques.

Expert figurative sculptor Clara Hali demonstrates methods, teaches skills, and guides you through this exciting process.

All materials are supplied, excluding bronze.

Note: The course fee for Bronze Casting reflects the limited number of students permitted due to safety considerations and the extended hours of this course.

* Please note there will not be a class held on Saturday 24 May due to the moulds being made.

* Please note that there is no class on the Saturday 7 June due to the long weekend.

* Short courses are open to students of ages 16 years and over.

*Due to the workplace, health and safety requirements of this course, students will need to demonstrate the following abilities: reasonable physical strength, manual dexterity, good attention to detail and ability to follow detailed instructions.

Clara Hali is one of Australia’s leading figurative sculptors. She has exhibited extensively in solo and group exhibitions for 40 years and received numerous awards and commissions.

Represented by Beaver Galleries, Canberra, and Defiance Gallery, Sydney. Clara was awarded the Sculpture by the Sea Distinguished Invited Artist Award and is a finalist in the Wynne Prize, AGNSW (1995, 2023). She has a MFA in Sculpture and has lectured in the sculpture dept at NAS for over 30 years.

Her work is held in many public and private collections in Australia, as well as in New Zealand, the US, Singapore, Italy and Holland.

Students must supply their own art materials, please refer to the list below. 

For the first class bring the following materials:

• Old kitchen knives of varying tips (or similar tools for modelling wax)
• Sketchbook and drawing media such as a pencil to jot down notes and ideas
• Hot water bottle
• Plastic shopping bags (4 or more)
• One square meter bubble wrap
• Old wood or plastic kitchen chopping board

Enclosed footwear is essential in all studios on campus. 

Clara Hali will discuss other materials in the first class, including the requirements of the bronze, which she will buy in bulk (as you can’t buy it in small amounts).

The cost of bronze to each student is dependent on the sizes of the sculptures to be made. Students generally spend between $60 – $150 on bronze.