JOHN ZIDEK

COPPER & GLASS SCULPTURE

Combining the elements of Copper and Glass in my designs makes my work unique. 
I design and fabricate each piece personally.  
Copper is selected as my metal for several reasons. It is flexible enough to be worked by hand and then through heat treating it can be made rigid. Another reason is permanence. Copper is found in sheet form in Michigan. It is layered between rocks and has been there for millions of years in its natural state. Copper was chosen for the Statue of Liberty for its resistance to salt air. The only issue with the statue to date has been the ironwork that has rotted away in the arm. Depending on formulas, bronze is 94 - 97% copper: the inclusions are to give it hardness. This allows me to use a museum brown bronze chemical patina for color. The metal is then clear coated with enamel and heat treated. 
I braze all of my pieces at approximately 1800 degrees using oxygen/acetylene. The copper is at its melting point when I apply a copper rod to make the connection. Even though I schooled in jewelry and am familiar with soldering, the process to connect copper is much more intense. I like to build up the shoulders of my joints: consequently, the application of heat is very delicate. Too much and the entire joint dissolves and falls off. Of course, too little heat and nothing happens. It's that point between melting and dissolving that is crucial. I also apply my rod to the piece to create texture and design. My pieces have no soft solder, plumbers solder, epoxy, glues, etc. that will let loose over time. The work basically becomes one piece and is permanent. In places where I have determined to use glass I have brazed a brass bolt. To secure the glass I use neoprene rubber washers and an industrial machinery knob with a brass insert. This is important because of the reaction that metals have with each other. If you were to use steel on brass, eventually the steel could become permanently attached. My pieces are made from hollow tubing: therefore they are very lightweight. A large piece may weigh as little as ten pounds.
About the Glass 
The process is known as blown glass. I got together with my friend and fellow artist Ron Hinkle, owner of Dying Art Glass Works in West Virginia. I had the design and Ron had the expertise to help me put it together. It starts as clear crystal and frit are rolled into it for color and pattern. Our frit come from two companies in Germany. The experts agree they are the best in the world.  While the glass is still hot it is fumed with liquid titanium. I like titanium for its overall reflection and iridescence. Tiffany used a similar process using nickel and silver. Titanium was not available in that period. The quality of the glass blowing is determined by not only the thickness but overall uniformity.

CUSTOM WORK AND CHALLENGES ARE ENJOYED

Custom Orders

Specializing in the perfect piece for your space. 
If you see a design that you like and need it a different size....a design but would like to incorporate an element from a different design....have a space that you would like to have John design a specific piece....

Anything is possible including lighting and water features!  Extra large pieces can be made in sections for easy installation.

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