fine finishing


Aima Saint Hunon

Sculpture Source Asia

Aima Saint Hunon Three Abstract Females in Bronze from “Oh! LALA” Exhibition

Aima Saint Hunon is a well received, up and coming artist with a very promising future.  When Paul Cavanagh had a chance encounter with Aima at a gallery opening in 2011 in Shanghai, he discovered she had an interest in having some of her sculptures cast in bronze. While talking together, Paul Cavanagh also learned that while in China, Aima worked along side world renowned Chinese sculptor Xie Aige, whom Cavanagh also knows. That unforeseen meeting began what has been an ongoing, multifaceted relationship between Aima and our Asian affiliate Sculpture Source Asia.

In 2012, Paul Cavanagh and Aima began planning an exhibition of the pieces she wished to cast in bronze.  Cavanagh is co-owner of the Philippe Staib Gallery in Shanghai and he proposed having the show there. He also began to discuss with Aima the choices she would have for having her sculptures cast. They decided on the foundry in Nanchang because Aima had heard the quality was equal to any other foundry. Aima also indicated that the economic value China offered her was an important factor in determining her decision.

The foundry in Nanchang, known for their bronze sculptures and bronze plaques, began making the molds and then the bronze castings in 2013. Aima stayed in Nanchang for two months learning the techniques of fine finishing and patina under the tutelage of Cavanagh.  Aima has had formal training in sculpture and holds a professional diploma from the Olivier Serres Art School in France but she had never produced a bronze casting before. In time, Aima was able to rely on Paul Cavanagh’s knowledge and abilities. Aima learned quickly and her stunning, hued patinas are a good example of her intelligence infusing with her unique, creative abilities.

Sculpture Source Asia

Aima Saint Hunon reviews and is very pleased with the work at the Nanchang foundry for her bronze sculptures in 2014.

Aima had heard stories about the quality not being very high in China. To her delight, Aima found the quality of the casting was as good as anywhere in the world and far superior to anywhere in China. There were 28 sculptures for Aima’s show, all of various dimensions. All of the pieces were completed on time and finished expertly.

Aima’s exhibition “Oh! LALA” was in the Philippe Staib Gallery in Shanghai from March 15 to May 11, 2014 to great success.

Aima’s passion for her work and her unique talent show great promise for her future success. Aima splits her time between her studios in Shanghai and New York. She works in the mediums of sculpture, painting, ceramics, collage, print making, video, poetry and performance art. We continue to enjoy our relationship with such an aspiring, multi-talented artist.

Sculpture Source Asia

Aima Saint Hunon Single abstract female in bronze from “Oh! LALA” exhibition

To learn more about our featured artist, please visit aima-artiste.com

To learn more about working in Asia or having your work cast in Asia, please visit our Asian affiliate SculptureSourceAsia.com

 

 


Paul Cavanagh and Khun Nok

Approximately 10 years ago when Paul Cavanagh and his partners relocated their Thai art foundry to Ayutthaya, Thailand, he first met Suparat Wanicha (Khun Nok). Khun Nok brought his own sculpture work to the foundry to be cast in bronze. Over time, Cavanagh came to realize that Nok is a very talented Thai sculptor who also has a very skilled team of workers. These employees are not only well versed in bronze sculpture but also know all the technical requirements of producing sculpture models.

Paul Cavanagh readily uses Khun Nok and his team’s services to produce models and enlargements for The Paul King Foundry. He will be presented with a small model and Nok then produces a full sized model. This full sized model is usually many times larger than the original and can be made in any requested material: plaster, wax, plastilene, water clay – whatever the sculptor client requests. When the sculptor is finished working on the full scale model, negative molds are made and a hard model is produced for sand casting or a rubber mold is made if the lost wax process is to be used. This relationship works very well because of Khun Nok’s knowledge and skill. The Paul King Foundry is able to use the process for many clients.

The Paul King Foundry works with Robert Shure from Skylight Studios in Boston who designed and made small models of memorials for Matthews Corporation. The Paul King Foundry then produced many large monuments in Thailand for Matthews Corporation and they were placed in many locations throughout the US and Canada. Additionally, the Paul King Foundry and Skylight Studios worked with a local RI businessman who lost his son at a very young age. The businessman wanted a bronze memorial made for his child. Shure made a small model for the family based on another memorial that had originally been made in Italy. Nok made a beautiful and faithful enlargement of Robert Shure’s model.

Khun Nok also worked directly with Boston sculptor Laura Baring-Gould and assisted her in making the enlargement of her Boston monument. Nok also helped her solve some technical issues as well. He was involved with the enlargement of a large bronze figure for an architect from CT which ultimately became part of the structure of a building in CT. Khun Nok worked with Karen Petersen from VT, Chinese/Canadian sculptor Chong Fa Chong, Kumari Nahappan from Singapore – making enlargements and molds for them. Nok is skilled at mold-making and is a specialist in enlarging. Nok is involved with numerous enlargements of monumental sized Buddha of up to 300 feet.

Khun Nok (far right) and Paul Cavanagh (near left) visit a newly installed Buddha monument with two people from Jiangxi Metal Craft

Khun Nok (far right) and Paul Cavanagh (near left) visit a newly installed Buddha monument with two people from Jiangxi Metal Craft

Khun Nok has also become a specialist in fine finishing. He spent a month visiting the Paul King Foundry five years ago. Nok insisted on spending all of his time in the fine finishing department at the foundry in Johnston, RI and learning from our experts during that time. Khun Nok studied formally at The Art Institute of Chang Rai, Thailand. Nok works very closely with National Thai Treasure Artist Professor Nantiwat of Silapakorn University who studied with Henry Moore. Khun Nok is bilingual in Thai and English while also speaking Mandarin (Chinese).

Paul Cavanagh and Khun Nok are currently working together on projects in China and Thailand. They are also involved with some public art projects in China. Nok is also the technical manager for quality control when Paul Cavanagh is not at the foundry in Nanchang, China.

For more information about our Asian affiliate please visit our sister site Sculpture Source Asia.

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