The Art of Welding

When you think of welding the first thing that comes to mind is probably welding metals when fabricating new things, or to piece something broken back together. Car pieces are welded to create the finished products. Construction workers weld steel beams and angles when constructing new buildings. But did you also consider that artists utilize the technique of welding to create works of art, such as sculptures? Sculptural welding is an entirely different form of welding, as it requires extensive knowledge and skill to fuse an artist’s preferred materials into different shapes and colors.

Here's a look at some of the world’s most famous artists who worked in welded sculptures:

Alexander Calder – An American sculptor best known as the originator of the mobile, a type of kinetic sculpture made with delicately balanced or suspended components that move in response to motor power or air currents. In 1998, the US Postal Service issued a 32 cent stamp honoring Calder.

Sir Anthony Alfred Caro - He was lauded as the greatest British sculptor of his generation, he was an English abstract sculptor whose work is characterized by assemblages of metal using 'found' industrial objects.

Vera Mukhina - Was a prominent Soviet sculptor. Her most celebrated work by far is the giant monument Worker and Kolkhoz Woman which was the centerpiece of the Soviet pavilion at the 1937 International Exhibition in Paris. It was the world's first welded sculpture.

David Smith - Was an American Abstract Expressionist sculptor and painter, best known for creating large steel abstract geometric sculptures. Collections of Smith's work can be found around the world, including the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Museum of Modern Art, New York.

These are only a few of the influential welding sculpture artists in history. Tell us, who are some of your favorites and what welded works of art do you admire?