Understanding Steel Art In Thailand
Thailand has developed an international reputation for its steel art creations. You may have seen examples of Thai craftmanship online in the form of Life-sized Alien, Predator and Star Wars characters, freestanding and made entirely from scrap metal.The industry began over 15 years ago when independent artists began to create small and basic models from wire, nuts and bolts. Typical examples include stickmen, motorcycles and very basic animal models. Nothing was made commercially and the creation of these statues were merely a hobby practiced by a group of about 12 craftsmen.
The industry changed significantly after the first Predator movie appeared in 1987. By this time, the artists who’d created small statues were in need of a challenge and decided to work together to produce the world’s first scrap metal Predator was created.The manufacturing industry in Thailand had developed sufficiently so that there was an abundance of cheap scrap metal from manufacturers such as Ford Thailand, boat manufacturers, scrapyards and Thai military suppliers.
A group of 5 artists cooperated to produce the first design. It was 1.5 meters tall, took four months to make and required the assistance of 20 other workers who volunteered their time. At the time there was no Internet, computer design programs, resin model collectibles or digital photography. There was only one photograph used when completing the entire design – this was a 1-meter tall poster that was imported from America.
Artists did not sketch design ideas or create detailed construction plans. Instead the building work became a social activity. A wire frame ”scaffolding” was created to show a three-dimensional framework. Artists would rummage through the scrap metal resources they had available and discuss in their group how they believed particular Predator features could be created.
Thais are reputed to avoid conflict and the building process was fun, communal and there was as much drinking as there was constructing. If a particular artist felt that he could improve upon an existing feature, it would be put to a vote within the group.The completed Predator statue was never sold. It was passed between the various workmen for three years until it was donated to charity.
Today Art From Steel, Thailand’s largest manufacturer of hand-crafted steel art work employs 12 full-time members of staff and, when demand is high, can work with over 50 trained welders at once. They have a workshop and a factory and are regularly commissioned for projects as far-ranging as: Alien V’s Predator furniture for bars, scale-replicas of factories, traditional Thai and Buddhist symbols, and novelty gifts.