Galvanised wire allows for a wider variety of finishes than Emma’s other favoured materials. The mild steel naturally mellows to a subtle silvery-grey, which, Emma says, particularly sings against dark areas of the landscape. A favourite commission which displays the luminous qualities of galvanised wire is that of a mare for the National Trust, which can still be seen on the glorious Rievaulx Terraces overlooking Rievaulx Abbey, and was inspired by the horse-drawn carriages which used to visit the terrace with its elegant temples. And for those who prefer a burst of colour, galvanised wire also be powder-coated in a variety of colour finishes from muted to vibrant.
The journey of a galvanised wire piece is similar to that of a bronze. But the finished sculpture would very quickly rust if it were not hot dip galvanised to protect it. This involves dipping it into molten zinc, a process that takes place in Hull. This involves dipping it into molten zinc, a process which takes place at a specialised galvanizing plant.
Perhaps Emma’s best-known powder-coated pieces are the coral and coronation blue lobsters which debuted at the Staithes Festival of Arts and Heritage in 2015, and can now be seen, respectively, in Andrew Pern’s Star in the Harbour in Whitby, and as part of the newly-landscaped area outside the Gateway Centre information point in Staithes, courtesy of the North York Moors National Park Authority and the villagers.
