Big Head —
by Barry W. Sheehan

Description:

This piece is wrought iron and started as a flat sheet. The piece was shaped using traditional blacksmithing techniques. The metal was was heated to a red or yellow heat using a large torch and than shaped with an eight pound sledge hammer. The process was fantastically fun and difficult. I had to keep a bucket of water next to me at all times to quench my gloved hands and hammer. The heat from the metal caught my hammer handle on fire many times. One of the wonderful aspects of using these traditional techniques with sheet metal is that it creates a perfect negative image when viewed from the back. The piece was inspired by my love for Polynesian and ancient art.