Welding Sculptures

In this course you will learn fundamental welding skills and complete small-scale welded steel sculptures. Lisa Jones demonstrates techniques using arc and MIG welders and oxyacetylene to cut, shape and bend steel, as well as ways to grind steel and use surface treatments suited to steel. She discusses the aesthetics of form and space and introduces students to sculptors who have made significant contributions to the field.

Note: course fee is higher due to safety considerations and limited student numbers.

*Short courses are open to students of ages 16 years and over. For students under 16 years of age there are School Holiday Workshops, Art Club and other youth art programs.

Lisa Jones is an artist and educator. She has exhibited nationally and internationally in institutional spaces, artist-run-initiatives and commercial galleries. Her work is in the collection of Artbank and private collections in Australia and Britain. She has been a finalist in ABN AMRO Emerging Artist Award, Woollahra Small Sculpture and is a recipient of an Emerging Artist New Works Grant from the Australia Council for the Arts. She is a sessional lecturer at the National Art School in the drawing department and has taught metal sculpture classes in the Eveleigh workshop, Morley College, London, Brookvale TAFE and Artist in Residence Canterbury University, Christchurch. She holds an MFA from Sydney College of the Arts and an MVA from University of Newcastle upon Tyne UK.

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

Mild steel (no galvanised or stainless steel)

Bring an assortment of pieces of mild steel for making your sculptures. Mild steel is the most common metal around us and is the kind that rusts easily of left exposed to the weather. You will be working with mild steel only and need to bring in an assortment of pieces with you. The sculpture department has a small supply of mild steel for demonstration.

You can find off-cuts and refuse from the engineering, manufacturing and building industries. It is available from smaller scrap metal yards, industrial bins (with permission) and rural properties. Machine or car parts containing grease or plastic and heavily painted pieces give off toxic fumes when burnt so are best avoided.

• A4 sketchbook or visual diary and drawing media such as pencils/pens
• 2 x P2 grade disposable dust masks, purchased from hardware stores
• Box of disposable gloves
• Riggers Gloves are compulsory. They are between $10-15 a pair and can be found at hardware stores. Here is a link to Bunnings range of gloves: https://www.bunnings.com.au/search/products?page=1&q=rigger%20gloves&sort=BoostOrder&pageSize=60 or Weld Guard Premium Welding Gauntlet, $16.00 from BOC.

The Sculpture Department will provide basic personal protection such as earplugs or muffs, helmets and face guards which will be sanitised before and after use. Your lecturer will discuss the specific Work Health & Safety (WHS) obligations of welding in the first class.