Metal Sculptural Reliefs: ‘Metal Paintings’

S. Buchanan’s work, progressing from standing metal sculpture to metal wall reliefs, is described. He exploits the contrasting surface texture and lustre of steel, chrome-plated steel and aluminum. Often he modifies surfaces by grinding and polishing to achieve painterly qualities. These effects are enhanced by the use of paint and by shading with the use of soot from an acetylene flame. In fact, his reliefs occupy an intermediate category between sculpture and painting. Now he proposes to make reliefs in the horizontal plane, ‘table reliefs’.