CARIBOU
20 GAUGE Copper hydraulic pressed dual powdercoat artisinal pendant.
This piece was inspired by antelope skulls, specifically a cross between a wildebeest and caribou. The skull was constructed with 20 gauge copper after it was roll pressed with cardstock paper to get a cracked, worn out texture. The antlers were hydraulic pressed on acrylic, and sweat soldered together. The piece was then powder coated first in white for the skull, and matte black for antlers. I then wrapped the antlers with 20 gauge nickel wire, with 18 gauge nickel wires’ acting as barbs to represent barbed wire.
final
progress
Laser-cut acrylic sheets, layered with a brass sheet on top for hydraulic pressing.
When I created my sample prior to this project, the hydraulic pressings weren’t responding to sharp corners and edges (hence the rounded antlers) which is reflected in the design.
After the powder coating, my roll-printed copper skull lost it’s cracks and detail slightly.
Initial skull design; I wanted to shape the copper by hand + hammer, however, the copper didn’t form the way I wanted to (you can see the visible warping).
Playing with antler orientations.