Course Overview

This intensive course introduces students of all levels of experience to the practical, technical and creative requirements for making small-scale welded steel sculptures. Lisa Jones encourages you to concentrate on self-directed projects under her aesthetic and skills-based guidance. She introduces you to contemporary and modern artists whose practice explores the language of metal as a sculptural material and its relationship to line and form. The course will initiate students into the fundamentals of welding, cutting and bending skills to complete one or a series of welded steel sculptures. You will be inducted into the safe use of the principal equipment required to work with steel.

Lecturer Profile

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.

ART MATERIALS

A4 sketchbook or visual diary
Drawing media such as pencils/pens
2x P2 grade disposable dust masks, purchased from a hardware store.

Mild steel (no galvanised or stainless steel)
Mild steel is the most common metal around us, 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 for making your sculptures. The Sculpture Department has a small supply of mild steel, but only for demonstration purposes, so you need to bring your own. You can find offcuts and refuse from the engineering, manufacturing and building industries. It is also available from smaller scrap metal yards, industrial bins (with permission) and rural properties. Avoid machine or car parts that contain grease or plastic or are heavily painted, as they give off toxic fumes when burnt.

Additional personal protection
The Sculpture Department will provide basic personal protection such as earplugs/muffs, face shields and helmets. However, we recommend you supply your own personal protective equipment (PPE), i.e. safety glasses, hearing protection and rigger’s gloves. In the first class Lisa will discuss the work health and safety (WHS) obligations of welding.

Covered footwear and protective clothing ESSENTIAL
You must wear covered footwear. Sturdy leather or steel-capped shoes will best protect your feet. Protective clothing, such as a heavy cotton drill long sleeve shirt and cotton drill long pants, is also important. Avoid light, flammable and synthetic materials.

COVID-19 Policy

In line with NAS Covid Safety Guidelines, it is compulsory to wear masks indoors when on campus and all students and visitors must be fully vaccinated or have a medical contraindication form completed by a health professional.

Protective clothing and covered footwear essential