Beau Callaghan – A Metalsmith

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From the Conversations With Artists series [1]

A metalsmith is a craftsperson who works with metal, shaping it into various objects through techniques like forging, casting, or hammering

Beau’s website – www.bodicea.xyz

Email – beau@bodicea.xyz

  1. What do you do?

I work primarily in CAD (computer aided design) with a focus on digital sculpting. My approach to my work is to combine CAD with bench jewelling. 

  1. Why is it your passion?

I started this venture after studying History of Art where I developed an interest in Medieval art. Due to my love for digital it took some time to find my stylistic approach due to the juxtaposition of medieval art and its focus on handcrafted items and the influence of technology as a medium for art. CAD isn’t for everyone but the process for me is so freeing. Anything I can think of I can create. I feel like I have created a balance between these two styles that appeal to me.  

  1. How did you get into it?

I started making digital art in 2019. In 2023 I moved over to digital sculpting. Last year I decided to take a leap of faith and applied my skills to the world of jewellery. 

  1. If your craft was a song what would it be?

If my craft was a song, I think currently it would be Black Milk by Massive Attack. I listened to this song repetitively when working on my first collection of designs. 

  1. How do you work (What is the process)?

I spend a lot of time in my head and I usually try to create new concepts daily. Some will fade away over time but some tend to stick. When I come up with something worthwhile I will  sketch it out, or sometimes, I even just write about it if the piece is very clear in my mind. I will then move over to my computer and start with creating initial lines to build up on. I’ll either go to Rhino 3D or Nomad sculpt to produce the work. 

  1. What do you want to share with the world about your work?

I am deeply inspired by Jungian psychology and the idea of bringing deep and dark collective feelings to the surface. The subconscious self is wild and untamable, but it is a part of life that should not be dismissed. The art I make is inspired by the myths and legends that are rooted deep in the psyche. 

  1. What makes your work worthwhile?

Craftsmanship is at the forefront of my designs. Some pieces can take up to 42 hours to complete – digitally sculpting alone. The manufacturing process can also take time, but the end product, made physical, is a solid object made into 925 silver.  

  1. What is the history of your craft / where did it originate from? 

There is a substantial amount of evidence that jewellery, in the form of simple adornment like beads and shells were created and worn long before humans developed clothing. In that sense jewellery was one of the first forms of self expression. The art form progressed into Ancient Egypt where the first attempts at reproductions were made. Jewellery has, since the beginning of humanity, been a form of self expression and a connection to the spiritual. 

  1. What sort of people do you think can do what you do?

I believe that anybody can make art, regardless of the medium. Although it takes time to develop skills and creative thinking I believe art is an accessible way of self expression. CAD in general can be quite accessible for those who have access to a computer. There is affordable software for those who might want to get started in the field or who just want to create something for the fun of it! (Nomad sculpt is relatively accessible and Blender is also free, although not industry standard may be a good place to start).

  1. Do you need any particular skills or experience?

The jewellery industry is quite gate-kept and you do need an understanding of metallurgy, metalsmithing and manufacturing to get started. Depending on what niche you go down in the industry it can take a lot of time to understand jewellery making and the connections you may need to succeed in the industry. Saying this, it’s not impossible, but it can take time. 

  1. How does your work make you feel?

I can be quite ungrounded at times, and the process of sculpting is relaxing for me. To then see something I’ve made on CAD become tangible, it feels like a healthy release of the feelings I may have felt at the time or the feelings I put in to make the piece. 

  1. What do you hope to achieve with what you do?

I hope to make wearable pieces that are not only nice to look at. I want it to be a reminder of past symbols that have taken up space in the minds of the collective. This way the pieces become a talisman of the original symbol, harnessing the feelings attached to certain images but reinventing it to become something modern and wearable.

Spyder