Transformations

by Eli Wu

Eli Wu is a nonbinary multimedia artist that works in fire related mediums such as flameworking glass and fire dancing. Down on the Farm 2023 was Eli’s first iron pour, and this is their first sculpture. In less than a week, DOTF family taught them to break iron, create a sculpture with gating, sprues and vents, mix sand, and cast on the pour floor. None of this would have been possible without the rich community that DOTF brings together.

This piece was created as a reaction mold, where the molten iron burns away or sublimates the material that is left in the sand mold. In 2020, Eli made paper pulp casts from a plaster mold of a clay self-portrait, and since carried them from Baltimore to San Francisco to Madison, where they now reside. During DOTF 2023, Eli gave these paper casts a new life in iron, reimagined, using various other materials such as bubble wrap, Styrofoam, and plastic straws. As the paper was transformed into iron by fire, so too was Eli transformed by their experience of DOTF.

Eli would like to thank the entire iron pour community for creating a place of healing and learning. They would like to acknowledge several people who supported them through a tough time in their life, and without whom the piece would not exist. They thank their parents and sister, Katherine Wu, for encouraging them to try new things and embrace art. They thank Tona Williams and Karen Corbeill for introducing and welcoming them into the world of iron pours. They thank Larcia Premo for teaching them the techniques to make paper pulp casts and the fundamentals of sculpture. They also thank Kelly and Diane Ludeking, who put their hearts into creating this beautiful event and iron pour community.

Details:

2023

Not for Sale

18"x18"x8" ~50 lbs

Iron