The Lost-Wax Process (also known as Cire-Perdue), which dates back to the Egyptian era, has enabled artists to express their vision through a medium of hard metals, most particularly bronze, by way of an ingenious, yet simple, moulding process. The method not only makes metalwork practical for creative purposes, but allows artists to replicate their artwork multiple times, once the original is perfected.
The artwork foundation is implemented through a wax carving, a medium that can be easily manipulated into the most complex design, which is then encased by several layers of latex or silicon to make the original mould- reflecting the full detail of the original, followed by a final ceramic shell. The latex is extracted and used for multiple ceramic moulds, while the wax is melted out, allowing molten metal to be poured in. Once the metal sets in the mould, the ceramic is chipped away to expose the final artwork.
Driven by a passion for nature and the arts, German born Bodo Muche, one of the few remaining masters of this technique, gravitated to animal sculpture in bronze and stainless steel. Bodo’s skills were honed under the masters of the Berlin Museum of Natural History and Freiberg University, Black Forrest Germany, in the studies of animal behaviour and anatomy, sculptural art and design, as well as the techniques of modelling and casting. Many years of extensive travels and observations of animals formed an integral part of his development as a sculptor.
His style of representational art follows the 19th Century school of sculptors, ‘Les Animaliers’, accentuating the natural, representational form and vitality within the composition of the subject. Bodo has modelled many creatures, great and small. His sculptures have been presented at special events and diplomatic occasions including to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and may be found in private and public collections internationally.
