Susan Madacsi
''Although steel is usually considered an industrial material, I like to draw attention to it on a human level by creating objects that reveal organic forms."
Susan Madacsi uses both traditional and contemporary blacksmithing techniques to design and create her pieces in steel, copper, and bronze. The material is first heated to temperatures of up to 2400 degrees and then worked by hand on the anvil with hammers and other tools. For large-scale forgings, Madacsi works with a power hammer to create the forms.
After forging the individual elements of a piece, Madacsi assembles them by welding or using joinery techniques such as riveting or mortis and tenon. Madacsi's finishing processes may include any combination of filing, grinding, sanding, wire brushing, sandblasting, galvanizing, or painting.
"When designing contemporary work, it is important for me to keep the forms simple and clean, with an emphasis on quality."
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA, Phildalphia Convention Center, 2011
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA, Phildalphia Convention Center, 2010
Chromaphobia, Memphis, TN, David Lusk Gallery, 2011
Smithsonian Craft Show, Washington, DC, National Building Arts Museum, DC, 2009
Iron 2010, Memphis, TN, National Ornamental Metal Museum, 2010
Wynn Resort, Las Vegas, NV, 89109, 3131 Las Vegas Blvd South, 2012
