Call for Entries: The 2021 Lewton-Brain Foldform Competition for Metal Artists

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - June 12, 2021 - PRLog -- Metal artists everywhere are invited to enter the eighth Lewton-Brain Foldform Competition. Entry deadline is Oct 10, 2021 with results announced on Nov 10. Enter the competition today at www.foldforming.org/2021call.

This event is a survey of the evolution of foldforming techniques applied in the world today in jewelry, sculpture, architecture, functional objects, and unexpected applications. Judges look for a well-crafted use of foldforming with points for excellence of execution and bold explorations.

"Twist Ring" in 18k gold by Nick Grant Barnes, Silver Spring, MD, U.S. took 1st Place in 2018. "Spiritus" in Britannia silver by Theresa Nguyen, Birmingham, U.K. took 2nd Place in 2012. The diversity of work is fascinating; view the entire event history on each year's gallery page at www.foldforming.org along with learning resources about foldforming for metal artists. Enjoy this playlist of past results videos on YouTube.



Since its launch in 2012, the Lewton-Brain Foldform Competition has attracted entries from metal artists in nineteen countries and across the United States. The event resumes after a two year hiatus in response to demand by artists and art lovers. The 2021 jurors are Professor Charles Lewton-Brain, Artist Goldsmith, Educator, Foldforming Pioneer; Merle White, Editor-in-Chief, Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine; Tim McCreight, Metalsmith, Designer, Author, and Publisher at Brynmorgen Press.

Pepetools joins the 2021 event as its primary sponsor, and will provide prizes to 1st Place, 2nd Place, 3rd Place, Honorable Mention, and Innovation Award winners. The Paper Hammer will also present a set of three limited edition hand-crafted paper hammers to the first place winner. Each year the jury also recognizes notable entries in a Jurors' Choice round; these are widely publicized as well.

What is Foldforming?
Foldforming is derived from metal's plasticity and its natural, predictable response to actions like folding, forging, bending, compressing, or work hardening. The resulting dimensional forms are often fantastically reminiscent of shapes found in nature — and that's not a coincidence, ​says foldforming pioneer Charles Lewton-Brain.

"Many shapes look like natural shapes for the same reasons the ones in nature do: The material is operating right at the limits of its working abilities, and therefore the rules show up. If it looks like a ram's horn or a flower, it's because that's what's happening in nature."