Beate Gegenwart is an enamelist and educator originally from Germany who lives and works in Wales, UK. Her studio is located on the beautiful Gower peninsular and she is a Honorary Research Fellow at Swansea School of Art (University of Wales Trinity Saint David). Her large enamel works exhibit an expressive interplay between polished stainless steel and fields of delicately applied and inscribed enamel.
She is currently supported by a major production grant from the Arts Council of Wales.
Here are some more images from the Cardiff exhibition in Craft in the Bay. We love the close-ups, which show the beautiful qualities of the enamel surface. All images were taken by Toril Brancher, photographer, for Craft in the Bay, apart from two images by Susan Cross.
Elizabeth Turrell and Marjorie SimonElizabeth TurrellElizabeth TurrellElizabeth TurrellElizabeth TurrellTamar de Vries WinterTamar de Vries WinterTamar de Vries WinterTamar de Vries WinterRamon Puig CuyasMelissa CameronMelissa CameronKathleen BrowneKathleen BrowneKathleen Browne
Beate Gegenwart is an enamelist and educator originally from Germany who lives and works in Wales, UK. Her studio is located on the beautiful Gower peninsular and she is a Honorary Research Fellow at Swansea School of Art (University of Wales Trinity Saint David). Her large enamel works exhibit an expressive interplay between polished stainless steel and fields of delicately applied and inscribed enamel.
She is currently supported by a major production grant from the Arts Council of Wales.
My name is Arthur Hash. I work as professional faculty in the Metal program here at the State University of New York at New Paltz. For the last ten years I have been incorporating digital processes (laser engraving, water-jet cutting, 3D printing and CNC milling) into my studio practice. At an early age I was exposed to computers, mostly video games. In high school, as part of a technology and design class, I was encouraged to experiment with AutoCAD (a 3D digital drafting program). Years later, I find myself using CAD software as a sketching tool. I use it everyday, sketching out objects in virtual space.
In the world of 3D digital modeling, surfaces are comprised of small polygons or facets. I view these facets as almost a resolution for 3D objects. It is very similar to digital images. A high resolution digital photo may have 600 ppi or pixel per inch where as a low resolution images might have a lower count. Maybe around 72 ppi. In 3D digital modeling, a HIGH resolution 3D digital surface may have up to 300,000 polygons or more. By increasing the number of polygons the surface becomes smoother and smoother. A lower polygon count produces a faceted object. For example, picture the facets on the surface of a soccer ball. If we double the polygon count then it is more like the divots in a golf ball. Double it again. Now the surface is more like texture of an orange. Once doubled again the surface might be completely smooth not noticeable by the human eye.
Using a laser engraver I have started a new body of work. I consider these pieces miniature, wearable “drawings”. They are flat projections of 3D digital surfaces. The polygon count has been reduced and the result is an etching that creates a jewel-like faceted surface on the enamel.
The heat of the laser, which burns the enamel at around 2500 degrees Fahrenheit actually “selectively over-fires” the enamel, vaporizing the silica. The result is a black line that is recessed into the enamel leaving a texture. The part of the enamel that is left retains its shine from the original firing.
I have made this short video to show you how the laser works when etching enamel on copper.
For more information please visit my website and blog. I look forward to posting more images and videos.
