A.J Wells Enamel Art brochure by A.J Wells & Sons

ENAMEL ART

CONTENTS P.04

A.J WELLS & SONS LTD An introduction to our company.

P.05

BENEFITS OF VITREOUS ENAMEL

P.06 - 23 ENAMEL ART 8 - 9 10 - 11 12 - 13 14 - 15 16 17 18 - 19 20 - 21 22 - 23 24 - 25 26 - 27 28 - 29 30 - 31

Poverty Over Chelsea Flower Show Mel Howse Dale Devereux Barker Vera Ronnen Jacqueline Poncelet The Star of Futures College Signs and Designs Awards Sandown - U R Here Lee J Rowland Michael Forrest David Kinght Chambers Award

P.32 - 33 VANDAL RESISTANT ENAMEL P.34

ACCREDITATIONS

A . J W E L L S & S O N S LT D We have the largest enamel facility in the UK, with a full range of capabilities in-house - including: site survey, CAD design, laser cutting, metal fabrication, graphic design, colour-matching, screen-printing, electrical assembly and installation. We offer unrivalled capacity for enamel signs, cladding, interpretation panels and special commissions.

A.J WELLS & SONS LTD, was founded in 1972 and is a privately owned, family controlled, British company that specialises in the design and manufacture of high quality vitreous enamel products and wood burning stoves (Charnwood). We also import fair trade tiles (Bodj) and pumice chimney (Anki). Run by second and third generations of the family, we are dedicated to providing products of enduring design and of the highest quality. OUR BUYING POLICY In our quest for quality we source our raw materials from only the very best companies. We aim to build strong relationships with our suppliers so that we can be confident in their quality, to maintain our high standards. We unashamedly buy British wherever possible. It is our view that it is environmentally unsustainable to transport heavy materials around the world, on the grounds of small savings, when the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest materials are available here in the UK.

OUR COMMITMENT TO SERVICE As a family company service is of utmost importance to us. All customers in our enamel business have dedicated project management contacts to ensure any questions can be answered quickly. OUR ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY At A.J Wells & Sons Ltd we operate a policy of caring for the environment in all aspects of the business; from the products we design, to the way we package them, to the way we transport them, to the way we deal with disposal of waste. We are proud to be accredited with ISO 14001. Our in-house services include: VITREOUS ENAMELLING A state of the art enamelling plant including colour matching laboratory, glass milling, spray shop and furnacing for sheet steel and cast iron applications.

LASER PROFILING & METAL FABRICATION Metal and laser workshop for manufacturing bespoke and tray panels. GRAPHIC GENERATION AND SCREEN PRINTING Full screen making facilities and print studios offering screen print, transfer application and cut vinyl. DESIGN STUDIO Offering artworking and graphic design services. Also incorporating resident artist studios. ELECTRICAL & ILLUMINATION Electrical workshop for back-lit and illuminated products. Full framing services are also available. SITE SURVEYS & INSTALLATION Signage and architectural surveys and installation are undertaken for all areas. Approved by Transport For London and registered with the UK rail industry.

BENEFITS OF VITREOUS ENAMEL A vitreous enamel finish is achieved by fusing glass particles to sheet metal by firing it at temperatures in excess of 800°C. The result is a surface finish that is incredibly hardwearing to all the elements.

LONGEVITY: Enamel lasts up to 4 times longer than standard powder coated panelling. The robust and vibrant qualities of enamel make it unrivalled in surface finishing.

CHEMICAL RESISTANT: Enamel is resistant to virtually all alkali, acids, organic solvents, detergents, neutral saline solutions and is unaffected by kerosene.

GRAFFITI RESISTANT: Graffiti can be easily removed using solvents without affecting the graphics or enamel making it an unrivalled product for the urban environment.

COLOUR-FAST: Enamel stays as vibrant as the day it was produced regardless of the weather conditions. Where standard surface finishes will fade or peel over time enamel is resistant to light, ultra violet (UV) radiation, industrial pollutants, salt sea air and hail.

HYGIENIC: The smooth, hard surface of enamel eliminates the absorption of dirt and grease and the presence and growth of bacteria and mould. In this respect enamel outperforms other materials and coatings, including stainless steel.

HEAT, FIRE AND THERMAL SHOCK RESISTANCE: Enamel is resistant to temperature differentials of between -40°C and 650°C and can withstand rapid cooling without releasing any toxic gasses.

RESISTANCE TO CORROSION: Enamel ensures that the structural integrity of the steel is maintained and potential damage to the substrate is avoided. Panels stay intact even in extreme marine conditions. DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES: Enamel has a high degree of electrical resistance and acts as an excellent insulator, especially at room temperature.

RESISTANCE TO ABRASION: The surface of enamel resists mechanical abrasion and prevents scratching, either accidental or intentional. Enamel is also impervious to attack and damage by rodents and insects LOW MAINTENANCE: The surface requires very simple and only periodic maintenance. Enamel is anti-static and extremely easy to clean.

COST EFFECTIVE: A combination of resilience, vibrancy, low maintenance and exceptional longevity makes enamel one of the most cost effective surface finishes available. ENVIRONMENTAL: The elements that are used to produce both the enamel and the steel base contain very little polluting substances and are fully recyclable.

ENAMEL ART

P OV E R T Y OV E R

CLIENT: Christian Aid ARTIST: Mel Howse DATE: 2011

The spun steel enamelled vessels resembling an eye within an eye were embellished with coloured enamels by Mel in the A.J Wells studios. Mel explains: ‘This piece explores the gap between those who are living in poverty and those who are not ... Poverty is staring at us and can be uncomfortable to witness. But once we have seen, the challenge is to act’ The exhibition was unveiled in London 8

at Southwark Cathedral on 17th January 2011 and will tour the UK for 2 years. Mel Howse and the vessels also featured as part of a guerilla fashion shoot for The Ethical Hedonist photographed by renowned photographer Mike Owen and styled by Alison Jane Reid. More information can be found at: www.melhowse.com www.ethical-hedonist.com KEY FEATURES: • Artist in residence at A.J Wells • Spun steel enamelled vessels A.J WELLS SERVICES: • Bespoke enamels • Studio space and facilities for artist

In 2011 Mel Howse created two large vitreous enamelled vessels for part of Christian Aid’s POVERTY OVER Cathedral exhibition. The touring exhibition aims to highlight some of the issues prioritised by Christian Aid in its work to eradicate poverty.

C H E L S E A F L OW E R S H OW CLIENT: Diarmuid Gavin Designs ARTIST: Diarmuid Gavin DATE: 2004

In 2004 A.J Wells was approached by Diarmuid Gavin Designs to help create an epic garden at the Chelsea Flower Show. The garden featured over 5,000 individually coloured enamelled balls to create a habitable pod within the garden. The project recieved huge media exposure and was filmed for a BBC 2 six part series. Over a intense time frame of just 4 weeks, A.J Wells were followed closely by a film crew as they enamelled the balls. Due to the spherical nature of the balls bespoke spraying and firing jigs were built to enable each ball to be seamlessly enamelled. A range of specialist contrasting colours were developed in-house in conjunction with Diarmuid Gavin and renowned fashion designer Orla Kiely. Once finished the balls were painstaking attached to a fabricated steel framework that formed the Pod. The finished Pod featuring a voice activated opening was placed in a garden of ferns and Japanese aralia. 10

“It is a suburban garden which is about fun. But the planting is very much integral. The pod sits in a bed of ferns - it almost floats there.” Diarmuid Gavin - 2004 Diarmuid Gavin Designs achieved a Silver Gilt award for their garden.

KEY FEATURES: • Unique garden sculpture • Durable and vibrant A.J WELLS SERVICES: • Specialist colour mixing • Enamelling of balls

M E L H OW S E

Portrait by Aoibheann / www.evanne.co.uk

CLIENT: Mel Howse ARTIST: Mel Howse DATE: 2008 - ongoing

Glass artist Mel Howse has taken her experience of working with enamels on glass to working with vitreous enamelled steel at A.J.Wells. In 2008 a Queen Elizabeth Scholarship award gave Mel’s enamelling work an exciting boost, providing the opportunity to diversify and explore new areas. At A.J.Wells she has been exploiting industrial techniques to take the use of enamels in innovative and unconventional directions. Mel explains: “I’m a practical artist and make my own work. The interaction of inquisitive artist with a factory full of smart equipment is leading to a good deal of spontaneous new work”. 12

Mel’s interest lies in the exploration of surface construction and the development of design through its practical application. Using bespoke enamels produced at the factory and having the space to experiment, she has been making new and unique pieces of artwork.

With her latest commission Mel created an enamelled steel font for St Leonard’s Church in Seaford, East Sussex.

Mel has created two architectural pieces of enamelled steel. The 2.2m tall steel columns entitled Equivalents are inspired by the 1935 Paul Nash painting Equivalents for the Megaliths. The Theme explores modernity within an ancient landscape.

A.J WELLS SERVICES: • Bespoke enamels, preparation & base coat enamels • Metal fabrication • Studio space and facilities for artist

More recently she has created a unique and intimate piece of art Fire & Water, an enamelled cast iron art bath.

KEY FEATURES: • Artist in residence at A.J Wells • Art enamelling by Mel Howse • Enamelled columns, bath and font

Further information can be found at: www.melhowse.com

ÂŠ Mel Howse

DALE DEVEREUX BARKER CLIENT: Dale Devereux Barker ARTIST: Dale Devereux Barker DATE: 2004 - ongoing

My relationship with A.J Wells & Sons started in 2004. It was a new experience for us both, first to see if it was possible to make unique vitreous enamel artwork in such an industrial environment and secondly to see if it was possible to have an artist in residence at their factory in Newport on the Isle of Wight. I was immediately struck by the ‘why not?’ attitude of the staff.

projects. I am proud of the work that A.J Wells & Sons have enabled me to produce.

There seemed to be an air of instantaneous respect blended with mutual excited curiosity; we were keen to learn from each other. This was the first enamel factory that I was made to feel at home. A.J Wells & Sons really understand the strange foibles and working patterns of an artist!

KEY FEATURES: • Artist in residence at A.J Wells • Enamelled public art • Enamelled private art • Sponsorship of his Jill George gallery exhibition. London 2008

I have continued to work at the factory on and off since my first visit, to make both personal work and large commissioned

A.J WELLS SERVICES: • Studio space for artist • Enamelling • Metal fabrication

Dale Devereux Barker, 2008

ÂŠ Mel Howse

VERA RONNEN

A.J Wells worked with internationally renowned enamel artist Vera Ronnen on a series of large enamelled mural panels for The Skirball Cultural Foundation in Los Angeles, California (architect Moshe Safdie). Ronnen’s work combines medieval and modern industrial enamelling techniques to create unique large-scale architectural works. Enamel colours are applied by sieve to the pre-enamelled surface in several layers, followed by multiple firings. This technique brings out the particularly subtle beauty of the superimposed colours. Powerful 16

opaques and gentle transparents fuse in the kiln over large, industrially enamelled steel surfaces, resulting in a depth that is unique to this process. For the first time in her career Vera Ronnen used commercial signage enamel colour, applied by spray gun and roller, as a base for her powders. This particular project consisted of four large-scale units with dimensions totalling 340 square feet. The artist executed the project over a three week period at the premises of A.J. Wells with the assistance of painter Carmelle Safdie and A.J Wells Project Manager David Knight.

KEY FEATURES: • Artist in residence at A.J Wells • Enamelled cladding panels A.J WELLS SERVICES: • Enamelling • Metal fabrication • Studio space and facilities for artist

CLIENT: Skirball Cultural Foundation ARTIST: Vera Ronnen DATE: 2009

J AC Q U E L I N E P O N C E L E T

CLIENT: Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital ARTIST: Jacqueline Poncelet DATE: 2007- ongoing

In 2007 Jacqueline Poncelet took up residency at A.J Wells to produce a series of enamelled panels for Sunshine House in Camberwell - a child development centre in Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital. Enamel was specified due to its durability, vibrance and hygienic properties. Jacqueline has since returned to A.J Wells

to produce enamelled panels for Flitch Green Primary School for Essex County Council. Jacqueline established herself as a major figure on the international ceramics scene in the 1970s and 80s. In the 90s she diversified her practice to include painting, sculpture and public art commissions.

KEY FEATURES: • Artist in residence at A.J Wells A.J WELLS SERVICES: • Enamelling • Metal fabrication • Studio space and facilities for artist

T H E S TA R O F F U T U R E S C O L L E G E CLIENT: Futures College, Southend and Commissions East ARTIST: Adam Bridgland DATE: 2010

‘You Will Have Dignity If You Come Here’ is Adam Bridgland’s first public art commission in the United Kingdom. Bridgland was awarded the funding in 2009 by Futures Community College and Commissions East. Working in collaboration with A.J Wells the work was unveiled to the public in the summer of 2010. The title for the work was inspired by a line in a poem by a student at Futures College. The poem was a response to someone coming to Southend for the first time and was completed when Adam was leading workshops with the students in preparation for the commission. As well as the link to achievement and awards, the star references the lights on Southend’s famous promenade. This is emphasised by the photo-luminescent aluminium frame, that brings the artwork to life at night. 18

A.J Wells created the weathered base using Corten steel. The same material used on Antony Gormley’s Angel of the North sculpture in Gateshead. The rust-like appearance acts as a form of protection when exposed to the elements. The photo-luminescent framing system was designed and engineered at A.J Wells. The installation stands at the entrance to Futures College as an eye-catching sculpture by day and night that will be resistant to all weather types for many years to come.

KEY FEATURES: • Vibrant and durable sculpture • Weather resistant A.J WELLS SERVICES: • Design & manufacture of weathered Corten steel base • Design & manufacture of photoluminescent framing system • Screenprinting and enamelling of star graphics

The steel star is laser cut, enamelled and hand printed with serveral layers of colour.

Further layering of colour and firing takes place.

The ‘orange slice’ graphic is screenprinted.

Then the panel is fired fusing the enamel inks creating a vibrant and weather resistant graphic on the face of the star.

The corten steel base is fabicated and sand blasted to strip off its initial protective layer.

Weathering takes place over a period of weeks creating a rust-like protective layer.

The internal frame is fabricated and the star is assembled

The photo-luminescent paint is applied to the external frame and tested in the darkroom.

The finished star is packaged and sent to the college for installation.

S I G N S A N D D E S I G N S AWA R D S CLIENT: Signs and Designs Society TYPE: Awards DATE: 2009 1

Programmed to be laser cut.

The profiled steel is hand rolled.

The steel is prepared for enamelling.

De-greased.

Dipped in ground coat.

Sprayed in chrome/metallic enamel.

The trophies for the 2009 Sign Design Award ceremony were designed and manufactured by British enamellers A.J Wells & Sons Ltd. Crafted from 1.5mm VE grade steel the award trophies were coated using specially developed chrome and metallic enamels. The enamel was applied by dipping, spraying and screen printing with a process involving 6 separate firings.

The prizes were presented at a prestigious ceremony at St Martin-inthe-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London on October 22nd, attended by members of the Society, its financial supporters and press representatives. The ceremony was sponsored by No-Nonsense Design.

KEY FEATURES: • Award design • Chrome enamels • 6 seperate firings per award

A.J WELLS SERVICES: • Enamelling • Metal fabrication • Design and graphics

Dipped in yellow enamel.

Preparing to fire.

Fired at over 800째C.

Fresh from the furnace.

Screen printed using ceramic inks.

The finished article.

The Awards were presented to the winners at St Martin-inthe-Fields, in London.

S A N D OW N • U R H E R E CLIENT: Island 2000 Trust ARTIST: Nathan Holt DATE: 2008

Nathan Holt is an Isle of Wight based urban street artist who works in a number of mediums including vitreous enamel. ‘U R HERE’ was part of an urban regeneration project for the ‘What if..?’ project run by Island 2000 Trust and funded by the Art Plus Award Scheme for Art in Public Places. The artwork is on permanent display at Eastern Gardens on Sandown seafront on the Isle of Wight. The process for creating the enamelled steel artwork required two layers of 22

ink applied by a combination of hand painting, screen printing, spraying and sponging onto 5 enamelled steel tray panels 120mm width by 240mm in height. A limited edition of 200 enamelled coasters featuring an element of the design were also produced for the unveiling of the piece in October 2008

KEY FEATURES: • Artist in residence at A.J Wells • Art Plus Award Scheme A.J WELLS SERVICES: • Enamelling • Studio space for artist • Metal fabrication

Nathan projected and then sketched the image onto the 5 panels.

Different coloured inks are then hand applied to the panels by sponge.

The panels were prepared for firing.

Each panel was fired at 800oC.

The black joining line is added after the first firing.

ÂŠ A.J Wells

L E E J R OW L A N D ’ S P O K E R TA B L E CLIENT: Lee J Rowland DESIGNER: Lee J Rowland DATE: 2010

Lee J Rowland is a design engineer with a taste for the luxurious. Rowland was commissioned by Jez San of PKR to design a poker-come-dining table. The result was a super slim skeletal enamelled structure through which the table centre gyroscopically rotates - transforming from a dining table to a poker table. At almost 3 metres in length the oval table seats around 10 guests, features a generous curved vitreous enamel cowling and is wired with the patented motor technology provided by Maxon. This technology was been used in the table drive system. The ideas and requirements for the table were finalised in June 2009. After researching various finishes Rowland found nothing to be of sufficient durability other than enamel. The high quality of the material, combined with excellent craftsmanship, has led to this spectacular and stunning creation.

KEY FEATURES: • Large rotating poker/dining table with vitreous enamel cowling and surface A.J WELLS SERVICES: • Curved fabricated steel table • Enamelled surface

MICHAEL FORREST CLIENT: Michael Forrest ARTIST: Michael Forrest DATE: 2004 - ongoing

Michael Forrest is an Isle of Wight based artist and sculptor who works in a number of mediums including vitreous enamel. Enamel artworks include Orangutan (left) The Catch (above) and Tiger (overleaf). The Catch was part of an urban regeneration project for the New Partners collaborative commission between Island 2000 Trust, A&B and A.J Wells & Sons. The artwork is on permanent display at Venture Quays, East Cowes, Isle of Wight. A combination of spraying, screen printing and hand painting was used to create the artwork which was produced on 2mm enamelled steel to allow it to curve around the wall. Michael also holds regular open studios at our studio facilities at A.J Wells. 26

KEY FEATURES: • Artist in residence at A.J Wells • Enamelled public art • Open studios A.J WELLS SERVICES: • Studio space for artist • Enamelling • Metal fabrication • Framing

D AV I D K N I G H T CLIENT: David Knight ARTIST: David Knight DATE: 2004 - ongoing

David Knight is an Isle of Wight based artist working predominantly in vitreous enamel. “My work utilises strong graphic imagery to communicate a story. I incorporate industrial processes such as vitreous enamelling to create larger works, as well as more traditional forms of mark making and print. I utilise a multitude of mediums to communicate the everyday as well as the totally out of the ordinary.”

American pineapple bombs and enamelled the casings at over 800oC. The idea was to take this brutal piece of destructive design and turn it into something aesthetically and tangibly beautiful.

With a rare mix of a fine art background and four years as an industrial enameller he is inspired by process driven mediums as well as the freedom of simply putting pen to paper.

KEY FEATURES: • Artist in residence at A.J Wells • Enamelled art

Some of David Knight’s most recent work includes enamelled hand grenades, in which he took decommissioned

A.J WELLS SERVICES: • Studio space for artist • Enamelling • Screenprinting

ÂŠ Mel Howse

C H A M B E R AWA R D S CLIENT: Chamber of Commerce TYPE: Award Trophy DATE: 2010

A.J Wells worked in conjunction with Pepper Creative to create twelve trophies for the Isle of Wight Young Chamber of Commerce award ceremony.

KEY FEATURES: • Simple, ergonomic award trophy • Screened graphics on curved surface • 18 carat gold ink detailing

The metalwork was laser cut and gently curved and folded before being enamelled gloss black. The screenprinted surface graphic was individual to each award and included an 18 carat gold ink.

A.J WELLS SERVICES: • Laser profiling • Metal fabrication • Enamelling • Screenprinting

VA N D A L R E S I S TA N T E N A M E L Graffiti can be easily removed from vitreous enamelled panels using solvents without affecting the graphics or enamel. This makes it an unrivalled product for the urban environment. 1

As a demonstation a vitreous enamel line diagram panel is placed alongside a pre-coated aluminium roundel and a powder coated aluminium directional sign.

All 3 signs are graffitied with spray paints ...

... and scratched with keys and coins. The vitreous enamel cannot be marked.

This represents the kind of vandalism that these signs could be subjected to in the urban environment.

The paint is left for 1 hour to dry before being wiped with standard graffiti removing chemicals

The chemical agent removes the spray paint with relative ease ...

... but in doing so the graphics on the pre-coated and powdercoated aluminium are also affected and start to wipe off.

The graphics on the vitreous enamel however remain intact and unaffected.

Regardless of how hard the panel is scrubbed it remains in pristine condition.

The enamel panel is restored to its orginal condition with no damage to the surface.

In the working enviroment the pre-coated and powder-coated aluminium signage would need replacing as the graphics are severly damaged.

T H E R E S U LT S - B E F O R E

BEFORE Pre-coated aluminium printed to face - graffitied with spray paint and scratched with keys.

BEFORE Powder-coated aluminimum printed to face graffitied with spray paint and scratched with keys.

BEFORE Vitreous enamel - graffitied with spray paint and scratched with keys.

T H E R E S U LT S - A F T E R

AFTER Cleaned with graffiti removing solvents. The scratches are clearly visible and the artwork is removed.

AFTER Cleaned with graffiti removing solvents. The artwork has been removed.

AFTER Cleaned with graffiti removing solvents. The panel is back to its original condition- good as new.

All photographs and text ©2010 A.J Wells & Sons Ltd. All rights reserved. With exception of the following: Mel Howse: Page 12 - 13 - © Mel Howse/Aoibheann Hopkins Adam Bridgland: Page 18 - 19 - © Adam Bridgland Lee J Rowland: Page 24 - 25 - © Lee J Rowland Chambers Awards: Page 30 - © Pepper Creative

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