from the KEY WEST ART & HISTORICAL SOCIETY 281 FRONT STREET, KEY WEST, FL 33040 295-6616 Fax: 295-6649
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Internationally renowned sculptor Terry Jones who worked on a full-size clay model of Ernest Hemingway was back in town to begin the process of turning the work into a life-size bronze which will be installed in front of the Museum of Art & History at the Custom House. Jones sculpted the piece last October and November in the studio at the Fort East Martello Museum, and returned last week to begin the casting process with the Laran Bronze Foundry in Chester, PA. The finished monument will be unveiled during a ceremony on the anniversary of Hemingway's birthday, July 21, 2005 in front of the Custom House. The bronze statue, which depicts Hemingway as he looked when he lived in Key West during the 1930s, has been donated to the Key West Art & Historical Society through the generosity of David L. Copham, a Fort Myers businessman and avid Hemingway fan. Among some of Jones' best known works are his historic monuments depicting the Napoleonic Wars, the Civil War, World War II and Viet Nam which stand in cities throughout the country. His WW II Monument, comprised of eight 35 foot high bronzes and 25 high-relief plaques took 5 years to cast. The Hemingway memorial will be cast using the same ancient bronze casting process called "lost wax." "I sculpted the Hemingway original using over 500 lbs of clay and now I am here with Larry and Randy Welker from Laran Bronze Foundry to start the second step of the process which is to make a rubber mold of the original. Three coats of rubber will capture every detail of the original and this is one of the most critical phases in the bronzing process." "This is the first time that I have sculpted the original and done the molding outside of my studio. My studio is designed for this large scale work and I have all of the tools and resources that I need right there. I had to bring everything in down here so it was much more difficult. But, I felt strongly that the piece should be created in the actual community where Hemingway lived." "The Hemingway statue is taller than six feet and it will be cast in many pieces, so there will be about a dozen different molds. The creation of a bronze statue such as this would not be possible without excellent craftsmen to bring it to fruition. Without them, I would just have clay." After the rubber is applied, plaster will be added to hold it in place. When the plaster is removed molten wax will be poured into the rubber molds creating a perfect copy of Terry's original sculpture. The wax molds will then be coated with a liquid ceramic which is the same agent used to make the space shuttle heat resistant tiles. The ceramic molds will take several days to set. The molds will then be fired in a kiln which bakes the ceramic shell and eliminates the wax leaving the molds hollow - Hence, the term "lost" wax. At this point molten bronze at a temperature of 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit is immediately poured into the ceramic shells. After cooling for several hours, the shells are broken away revealing what will be come the bronze sculpture. Then, all of the cast pieces will be welded together to form the finished statue." The statue will then be shipped via truck to Key West in time for the dedication ceremony and reception at the Museum of Art & History at the Custom House on July 21, 2005. Jones will be on-hand for the unveiling and will be participating in many of the Hemingway Days events. Jones already has finished a small 13" version of the Hemingway statue and it is being offered in limited edition of 35 bronzes. The small sculptures will be sold in all three of the Society's Museum Shops and on-line Click here for store. Jones has offered to donate a portion of the proceeds to The Key West Art & Historical Society.
