Brodie McGruer

Brodie McGruer is a sculptor, metalsmith and jeweller who is a graduate of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. Says Brodie: Metalsmithing is an alchemical journey. My works begin their metamorphosis from a formless mass, a lump of ore, a stick of wood. The process can be at once ferocious and delicate. Hammers may beat and deform and then elicit a fair and shining surface. A roaring flame coaxes a tiny trickle of liquid silver through a crack the size of a hair. Fire can render a solid mass liquid or make a rainbow of colours dance on the surface of a piece of metal imparting a final character. Timing is critical, the heat must be just so. Patience, intuition and experience guide the hand. Our senses of touch and sight provide reactions both intellectual and emotional. When I create a piece, I aim to engage these realms. My works usually suggest an interaction with the body. They may be worn or occupied, reference a function or tool. Some pieces may appear threatening, others inviting. Chance cannot be discounted as an important ingredient in my artistic evolution. Materials will often react unpredictably and allow me to create new shapes, forms and textures. I have long been fascinated by our ancient and pre-industrial histories. Historical periods are full of mystery and mythology and act as fertile grounds for inspiration. The majority of techniques I employ here have been practiced for centuries, even millennia. My lineage includes boat builders, blacksmiths and inventors. I am glad to benefit from the advancements we have made in tools and techniques, but new is not necessarily improved. Whatever method is used it should be executed with care and precision

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