ARTISTS

Cairn Cunnane

Using blacksmith techniques Cairn shapes, forms, and distorts metal. Presently he is exploring crossovers of figurative, architectural, and plant forms. Most of his work is created for specific people, places, or ideas, and ranges from hand held to large architectural installations.

Cairn has been featured by the Artist-Blacksmith Association of North America in their Spring 1996, Winter 2001, and Summer 2003 issues. He demonstrated metal sculpture at the International Caniron Conference at McMaster University in 2003, and in Victoria in 2007. He is featured in the winter 2010-2011 issue of the Metal Arts Guild. He is also teaching the Artist-Blacksmith craft mentorship program for the Ottawa School of Art. His work has been shown in solo and group exhibitions and is in both private and public collections.

"I’m exploring the awesome uncontrolled subconscious forces and expressions that are released in the moment of glowing red heat and unleashed physical energy without time to be filtered by thoughts. The results reveal a connection to my jagged distorted path to enlightenment. Presently I express figuratively with an architectural connection that’s influenced by explorations of the Far East. I use ancient blacksmith techniques mixed with state of the art methods. Most of my work is created by forging. Unlike casting where a mould is made and metal poured into it, I heat the metal and work it directly, instantly for each brief moment it is glowing hot enough to manipulate. It begins with an idea that is transformed by the unpredictability of the forces applied and the control of them, to lead to expressions that reflect something I have done but cannot plan. It allows a connection to the sense of mystery we feel around us."

Website: www.CairnCunnane.ca E-mail: cairn@cairncunnane.ca.

Phone: 613- 237-7053