Metal Wall Art

At the Sculpture Gallery in Fife, we are extremely passionate about the wonderful world of metal wall art. It is a world which has many facets and a rich history. The more you learn about the different elements of metal wall art and indeed metal art in general, the more joy there is to be had in hunting for the perfect piece for your home.

What is metal art?

So, what exactly is metal art, then? Well, it is indeed a wide category, as (sensibly enough) any form of art which has been created out of any type of metal or metal alloy is classed as metal art. From the largest statues in the world to intricate miniature ornaments, the realms of metal art span far and wide.

This can include pieces of high conceptual art which you might see in a gallery and which are crafted entirely for aesthetic purposes. It might on the other hand mean pieces of art which you would purchase to place in your home as decorative items. Also, when thinking about the development of the art of metalwork through the years, it would be right to take into consideration functional pieces of design as well such as gates, door hinges and tableware.

How did metal art come about?

Metal art has been around for a long time, the custom of crafting ornaments and valuable items out of metal stretching back into antiquity. If you would like to find out more about some of the key developments in the history of metal art, then we would recommend taking a look at the brief overview which we have put together.

It is safe to say though that stunning examples of metal can be traced right through all of the most significant societies in history since ancient civilization. Through the course of human history, as is the case now, bronze is favoured for the creation of statues. Indeed in antiquity, metal art began to become a highly valorized process, with for example the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, the Vedic Kings of Ancient India, the Mayan Kings and rulers in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome all valuing metal art very highly.

How is metal wall art made?

There are various ways in which metal art can be made. One technique which is often used is casting. This is a method whereby a mould is created and then filled with molten metal, before this is left to cool and harden. Take a look at our Cold Cast Bronze - Casting Process guide to find out more about this technique.

There are then other methods that are more mechanical, such as the job of cutting metal. This can be done manually using a saw and chisel, or by using machine through processes such as turning, milling, drilling and grinding. There are then on top of that methods that use heat such as welding with lasers.

Welding, it should be said, can also be used to join different parts together. But the joining process can additionally be carried out using other methods such as soldering, brazing and (less used in the present day) riveting.

Types of metal art

It has already been mentioned than metal art has a long and rich history. Many of the ancient pieces of metal art would have been items such as busts, statues and religious ornaments. Religious custom does in fact go hand in hand with metal art, and altarpieces as well decorative crucifixes are also prominent items of metal art.

Aside from that, metal art now stretches far and wide, with everything from grand and imposing pieces of metal sculpture to small and intricate figurines and items of jewellery all being included. The main types of metal that you will see being used are still bronze, copper, iron, brass and tin.

How to decorate using metal wall art

Metal wall art is a lovely thing to experiment with to create a kind of dynamic beauty in your home which comes as a result of striking contrasts of texture and colour. Over and above many other pieces of wall art that you might go for, metal wall art has the added benefit of bringing an alive energy which is created by the way that light will react with the surface of the metal.

This is not to say that you have to choose wall art to create stark contrasts and friction, as you can also choose metal art which creates a level of harmony in the room. Unifying the creative mood of the space, metal wall art tends to work well as a centerpiece, drawing the eye and creating a focal point which balances the décor of the room.

Metal Art at Sculpture Gallery

Browse through our collection of metal wall art from Artisan House at the Sculpture Gallery.