THE ART OF HEAVY METAL


Hand wrought from semi-precious copper, Stephen Myburgh’s elegant sculptures are dramatic and elegant fusions of art and passion


For Stephen Myburgh, there is something magical about making art from copper. “My work explores how opulence can be created from raw materials,” he says. “How objects can entice moods and feelings; how art can infect your environment, your mind and your wellbeing. Stephen has been making elegant and


dramatic pieces for more than 15 years. Born in Durban, South Africa, he arrived in England 20 years ago and met a blacksmith called Caroline Fletcher. Not only did he fall in love with her, but he fell in love with working with copper. “Copper is like a gift bestowed upon man


by the gods,” he says. “It’s something that’s inextricably linked with the human story – from the prehistoric men who formed copper weapons to the coppers that have a conductive role in a hi-tech society. It’s malleable yet hard, easily smelted, easily worked and absolutely beautiful to look at.” Copper is not a common medium these


days, but it offers near limitless possibilities for an artist. “With other media, you need to add paint or other materials to get a finished look,” he says. “Within each copper creation lays an infinite collage of colour and patina: deep emerald greens, hand-polished leathery browns, autumn reds and tortoise-shell yellows. I just have to bring them out.”


STRIVE FOR PERFECTION 186


SCULPTURED MEMORIES Since 2000, Stephen has concentrated on making swinging seats. “They are really just chairs,” he says. “This keeps me humble in the face of the fear that all artists feel. People want to live with things that tell of their journey. Our passage through time and life must be represented by the objects with which we surround ourselves.” Crafted from copper, these swinging seats


take between six and 12 weeks to make. They are luxurious works of art, but they are also meant to be used: for Stephen, the functionality and the aesthetics each inform the other. “I spend my day making treasures that


will be passed from generation to generation,” he says. “When you buy this sculpture, your involvement has only just begun. What begins is a lifetime of engagement, of touch, or being enveloped, of finding calm and laughing out. Your children’s children’s children will make memories in these swings.” Stephen is careful to make sure he puts


positive energy into every step of the process. “Every hammer blow comes from me and every piece is an artistic representation of my soul,” he says. “When the piece sits in your home, you can be assured that everything about it comes from the heart of the artist.” www.myburghdesigns.com


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