Cast Iron Reproduction of Stephen Broadbent's Reconciliation Statue for Richmond Unveiling Ceremony
The Richmond Slave Trail Commission contacted OK Foundry to investigate the possibility of casting miniature statue reproductions of the Reconciliation Statue to be unveiled at the commemoration of the Richmond Slave Trail Memorial.
The Reconciliation Statue to be installed in Richmond would be cast in bronze, but sister statues in Liverpool, Glasgow, and Belfast were cast in iron and the city had possession of an original iron miniature created by Broadbent, the public art company founded by artist Stephen Broadbent.
The foundrymen at OK Foundry recommended that miniatures in iron could be cast at a fraction of the cost of bronze and still remain true to the artistic vision of the Reconciliation Statue since the sister statues had been cast in iron.
Not knowing what a reproduction from an industrial foundry might turn out like, Stephen Broadbent graciously gave permission to the City of Richmond to commission reproductions of the original miniature.
So, with final specifications for the reproduction statue dimensions and an original miniature in hand, OK Foundry had less than five weeks to create a pattern, cast and finish enough statue souvenirs for the important guests at the unveiling ceremony. With lot's of help from everyone involved and the calm guidance of Chairwoman Delores Mcquinn, twenty four statues were delivered on the day of the Reconciliation Statue unveiling. Some key people came to our rescue at the last minute to figure out the patina treatment process and to make bases to mount the completed castings.
OK Foundry would like to thank Mark at ArtChemicals.com for all his expert advice when panic had set in and for hot rushing shipments of patina concoctions for us try and Bert Pinnock at BAM Architects for coming through on short notice with beautifully crafted wood bases to mount the statues.
Reconciliation Statue at Richmond Unveiling Event
One of three Reconciliation Statues being unveiled in Richmond on March 30, 2007. This bronze original was designed and created by Stephen Broadbent for the Richmond Slave Trail Commission.
Cast Iron Reproductions from OK Foundry
These cast iron miniature reproductions from OK Foundry were created for the Richmond Slave Trail Commission as gifts for traveling dignitaries and supporters of the Richmond Reconciliation Statue and Park. Twenty four castings were made by OK Foundry for the unveiling event.
Making Foundry Patterns from the Original
To make the reproduction miniatures, pattern makers at OK Foundry used an original miniature by Stephen Broadbent as the master pattern. Plaster casts were taken to reproduce the master into plastic which could be mounted on a cope and drag pattern set. The plaster casts created a contoured parting line complete with core prints for no-bake cores for the pockets between the embracing figures.
Original cast iron miniature by Stephen Broadbent.
Preparing to take plaster cast of original.
Original ready for plaster casting with contoured parting line.
Wet plaster in mold frame.
Negative mold of original in plaster.
Plastic pattern cast in plaster mold.
Cope pattern in plastic.
Drag pattern mounted in no-bake box.
Cope pattern mounted in no-bake box.
Making No-Bake Molds
The cast iron reproductions were cast in iron using no-bake sand molds. No-bake molds use a two part urethane epoxy resin to harden sand that is loose filled then lightly compacted in cope and drag boxes.
Tommy Allen filling mold box with resin coated sand.
Cured cope half of mold.
Jason Jackson closing mold.
Castings and Patina Treatments
The finished castings were treated with a patina solution to create a dark textured finish with natural rust and black oxide undertones and burnished metal highlights. After patina treatment the castings were hand rubbed with steel wool and then coated with a fast drying lacquer.
Castings after steel shot blast cleaning.
Casting after patina treatment.
Group of castings drying after patina treatment.
Casting during patina treatment.