Susan Madacsi pushes the plasticity of hot steel in her work. The Connecticut artist forges thick bars of metal, cuts the bars into smaller pieces and reassembles the pieces into forms.
Grand Constellation Vessel
detail
Using the metal forms as her palette, Madacsi applies enamel paint and a variety of techniques to distress the surface. The vessels, platters, bowls and wall hangings have a distinctly contemporary feel and give us a new way to look at traditional blacksmith techniques.
Nola Cloud
“By using pigment I have found that I am able to emphasize the many textures that evolve from forging. Although steel is usually first thought of as an industrial material, I like to draw attention to our connection with it on a human level, by creating objects that reveal organic forms.” Susan Madacsi
Grand Wasabi Bowl
The artist holding one of her vessels
