Welding Sculptures

Learn everything there is to know about welded steel sculpture in a technical, historic and aesthetic sense. Jim Croke instructs you in the safe use of oxy acetylene, arc (manual metal arc) and MIG (metal inert gas) welding techniques, and demonstrates complex methods for joining, cutting, shaping, grinding and bending steel to produce successful sculptures.

*Welding Sculptures is suitable for students aged 18 years and over.

*Please note: The course is not held on Saturday 7 September due to the NAS Open Day. The course will continue the following Saturday on 14
September. You are welcome to attend the NAS Open Day with friends, family and colleagues.

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 (not 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 if 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.

Other materials

• 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

Students must purchase their own gloves for this course due to Covid-19 Health Regulations. They are between $10-15 a pair and can be found at hardwarde stores. Here is a link to Bunnings range of gloves, 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.

Enclosed footwear and protective clothing are essential.