Maintenance and Conservation
While bronze has the ability to last for thousands of years, maintenance is required to ensure it retains its colour quality and prevent it from unwanted oxidisation. Working alongside established artists, estates, foundations and councils, bronze artwork is restored to ensure the original integrity is maintained.
If an artwork is damaged or broken it can often be repaired without having to go to the expense of recasting or remaking it. Crawford’s Casting will liaise with the owner and where possible the artist who created it to ensure the repair is consistent and in keeping with the original artistic vision.
Consultation
Crawford's Casting can offer a full service to clients including an in-depth consultation regarding the scope required for an artwork. From conception to production and installation, Crawford’s can provide a plan of expected costs and time estimates according to the parameters set by artists and other acting bodies.
Metal Fabrication
Many artists have used the skills and facilities at Crawford's Casting to construct unique artworks. We offer specialist equipment and labour to execute complex projects. This work is done in collaboration with the artist’s design and preferably with the artist present.
Skills on offer include welding, forging and soldering using materials such as stainless steel, mild steel, bronze and copper.
Negative Moulding
Translating an artwork into bronze or aluminum is possible with the creation of a negative mould. We offer a variety of different moulding techniques including painted, poured and vacuum formed. Most original mediums can be moulded; plaster, plasticine, clay, steel and timber are just a few to note. We create the mould using RTV silicon rubber and a rigid fibreglass backing. Other materials can also be used upon request. From the negative mould multiple wax copies can be taken allowing for the artwork to be editioned. The negative mould is a one-time cost and remains the property of the artist.
Bronze and Aluminium Casting
Crawford’s Casting is primarily a non-ferrous lost wax casting foundry. Silicon Bronze (C87300) and Aluminum (AA601) are our preferred alloys. Other non-ferrous alloys can be poured into our ceramic investment moulds by our partner foundry. We can also assist with pattern making and the utilisation of sand-casting if requested. Crawford’s can direct cast a provided wax pattern or original artwork made of a combustible material, alternatively we can negative mould the artwork and take a wax copy to be used in the casting process.