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The process all started when we receive a clay sculpture from our clients.
From this sculpture we make a silicone rubber mould.
We take the mould to the wax section where the mould will be painted with wax. Once the wax has dried, the waxes seam lines and runners get worked off and the finishing touches is added if needed.
From the waxing section, the mould is taken to the ceramic section where layers of ceramic is formed over the wax mould.
After the ceramic dried, the wax mould inside will be removed leaving only the ceramic layers.
The ceramic structure is placed inside an Igloo with a temperature of 980°C to harden.
While the ceramic structure is inside the igloo, the bronze is being melted. The molten bronze will then be poured into the ceramic structure.
Once the bronze has hardened inside the ceramic structure, the structure will be removed from the bronze mould.
The bronze mould will be sand blasted and assembled. All the minor details and the final changes will then form the final sculpture.
I, Marietha Van De Venter, started working at a bronze foundry in 2007 as an administrative clerk in a gallery of bronze sculptures. I felt like the office job wasn't for me, had to do more with manual work.My previous employer took me in to start making molds of sculptures of various artists. So I fell in love with making molds from rubber.
Due to my spouse's working conditions, I had to resign in order to move. After 2 years I returned to the foundry again, I accepted a position as manager.I accepted a work closer to home for my family. So I started in the garage making Cold Castings (resin sculptures) for clients as a hobby. As from 2016, I founded my own business PRO ART MOLDINGS, which I operated in our garage for 6 years. Still get on with it.
In 2022, I saw the opportunity to live on the previous bronze foundry at which I founded my own business name PRO ART BRONZE FOUNDRY (PTY) LTD. I am blessed to have been able to hire the best Team Members from past foundry to work with me. They deliver high quality work for me.
Under 1 umbrella, PRO ART MOLDINGS (cold castings – resin) and PRO ART BRONZE FOUNDRY (PTY) LTD (hot castings – bronze) can finish high quality sculptures and provide service to customers. Final finish is the patina of special and foundry brown on sculptures. It is an honour for me to work with and together the artists.
