Striking steel thistles

Art Metal is a family run Blacksmiths based in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. Combining fabrication and craft skills, they provide bespoke designer metalwork for a range of customers – residential, commercial and industrial.

Their work includes gates, fences, railings, arches, staircases and bridges, as well as water features, sculptures and public works of art.

A recent commission from one of their clients was a request to fabricate a large centre piece garden feature in the shape of a thistle.

The 10 ft high and 5 ft wide flower weighed over 250kgs, took four weeks to make and looked elegant and majestic once sculpted.

The sculpture was crafted from mild steel, and to protect it from the elements for many years to come, Art Metal turned to Joseph Ash Walsall to get the artwork galvanised. Galvanizing is important for steel because it provides a long-life, low-maintenance corrosion protection which safeguards steel from atmospheric attack.

Paul Hudson, Sales Manager from Joseph Ash Walsall said: “It was a pleasure to galvanise the steel thistle. Thistles can often be overlooked in their beauty compared to other flowers, but Art Metal have done justice to their spikes and elegance.”

Adam Barrett from Art Metal said: “We enjoyed fabricating this garden centrepiece for our client and wanted to ensure its beauty would be enjoyed for many years to come by sending it to Joseph Ash Walsall for a galvanised finish. Our client loves the finished sculpture and has now asked for some matching thistle styled gates, which we’ll fabricate later this year.”