-- To achieve D’Clark’s intricate vision, models for the sculptures were created using 3D scanning of live subjects. Deep facial dimpling and undercutting, designed for a tactile experience, posed significant technical challenges for the Foundry experts. Traditional sand patterns would have chemically bonded to the complex shapes, making the process prohibitively expensive and nearly impossible to execute.
Maybrey Precision Castings, a proud member of the Caro Group of Companies, has won the prestigious ‘Component’ Award at the Cast Metals Federation Awards 2024. This recognition celebrates their groundbreaking work on Black Renaissance, a series of five monumental Silicon Bronze sculptures now on display at the Freedom Memorial Sculpture Park in Alabama, USA.
Commissioned by the Equal Justice Initiative and conceptualised by artist Rayven Sheilagh D’Clark, Black Renaissance comprises five 2.5-metre-tall bronze sculptures. These powerful works honour anonymous figures, symbolising the hidden histories and overlooked contributions of Black individuals, while celebrating their enduring courage and resilience.
Innovative Casting Techniques for a Monumental Challenge
Maybrey Precision Castings solved this challenge by pioneering the use of 3D-printed sand moulds, enabling precise and cost-effective production. The sculptures were cast in 52 segments, using Silicon Bronze for its exceptional weldability and ability to accommodate variations in wall thickness.
A bespoke running system designed by the team at Maybrey ensured optimal metal flow, incorporating double pours and multiple ingates to prevent blemishes from oxides and gas pockets. The sculptures were then polished, assembled, and welded by Millimetre, an award-winning design and fabrication firm in West Sussex, before being shipped to Alabama for installation.
The processes developed during the Black Renaissance project have unlocked new opportunities for artists to bring digital creations to life at an accessible cost. This achievement underscores Maybrey’s longstanding commitment to innovation and its pivotal role in advancing the casting industry. Installed at the Freedom Memorial Sculpture Park, the sculptures form part of the Equal Justice Initiative’s mission to confront the legacy of slavery and racial injustice in America.
Maybrey Precision Castings, established in 1849, are experts in sand casting and the use of 3D-printed sand moulds from it's Kent foundry.
For more information about Caro Group use the contact details below:
Contact Info:
Name: Michelle Tennens
Email: Send Email
Organization: Caro Group
Address: 11 Halstead Road, Earls Colne, Colchester CO6 2LR
Phone: 01787 223850
Website: https://www.caro.co.uk/
Release ID: 89148619