Page 7 - HIWT Spring 2011 World of Welding

hiwt@welding.org HOBART INSTITUTE OF WELDING TECHNOLOGY

COVER STORY

WELDER CREATES AMAZING ART

By Marty Baker, Editor

Sandy A.M. O’Connor completing a welded sculpture.

Often we read about artists who create welded sculptures.
Many times, these talented people have learned just enough
about welding to accomplish their work of fastening two
pieces of metal together. Some have even taken a course or
two in welding and still others are self-taught.

What makes Sandy A.M. O’Connor unique is that he has been
a welder for 42 years. It has been his career and he currently Owl
works for Joy Mining Machinery in Worcester, England.
Sandy holds many certifications in a variety of processes ical Society, County Hall in Worcester, Pershore Horticultural
including gas tungsten arc, gas metal arc, shielded metal arc, College, William Hill Bookmakers, Wye Forest County
submerged arc, and synergic welding. But his passion is art. Council in Kidderminster, Churchill Gardens in Hereford,
Bovis Homes head office in Cheltenham, Swan Vesta /
“I am a self-taught artist/sculptor and I choose to do art as my Bryant and May, Hereford and Worcester County Council and
second job,” said Sandy. “I have been a welder for 42 years Western Galvanisers in Telford. A small selection of the work
and have been making welded art in my spare time as long as that Sandy has been commissioned to complete can be seen
I can remember.” on his website.

Sandy’s creation that was completed in late 2009 is a Sandy mainly works in steel, stainless steel and bronze.
welded stainless and galvanized steel piece called the Having specialized in bird sculptures for the first 15 years of his
African Project. Pictured on the front cover of this issue, sculpting career, his animal and figurine work has also grown
the piece stands 5 meters (16.4 ft.) high and weighs two and to be successful. As well as sculpture, Sandy has produced
one-half tons. The life-sized lions are made from welded amazing paintings, collages, and cast bronze portrait busts.
stainless steel while the tree and baboon are constructed His work has always been original, contemporary, highly-
of welded steel which has been galvanized. The lion’s skilled, and creative. Sandy has over 70 finished peices of
and the baboon’s struggle vividly demonstrate just how spectacular art available for sale that vary in size from a small
wild life can be. The piece is currently on exhibition at wren to the large African Project. His work has been featured
Webbs Garden Centre, Droitwich, Worcestershire, England. on BBC and ITV. Sandy is currently working on another

commission incorporating the African theme. This life-sized
Over the years Sandy has been asked to complete work for many work, consisting of a cheetah bringing down a gazelle, is being
institutions including the London Dockland Development created in stainless steel.
Corporation, British Steel Corporation, The Royal Geograph-
Details may be seen at www.sandyoconnor.co.uk.

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