Products Used in the Creation of the Christ Sculpture:

• Silfsteel No. 11 Welding Rods: These welding rods were crucial for creating the intricate steel mesh structure that forms the Christ figure, ensuring clean, durable welds throughout the piece.
• Oxy-acetylene welding Process: Used for assembling and welding the steel, this process allows for precision and control, vital for sculpting delicate features and maintaining structural integrity.

In the heart of South Wales, within the Church of the Blessed Sacrament at Gorseinon, a stunning figure of The Risen Christ greets visitors, shimmering against the deep purple backdrop of the Welsh mountains. This extraordinary work of modern religious art, designed by the renowned Welsh artist and sculptor John Petts, stands as a testament to both religious devotion and the power of welding in art creation.

The church itself is circular, and as you enter, your eyes are immediately drawn to the textured steel figure of Christ, radiating a soft silver glow. The figure, symbolic of the resurrected Christ, extends His arms outward in a gesture of welcome and peace. However, what makes this figure truly unique is its method of construction. Unlike traditional marble or stone religious sculptures, the Christ figure is made entirely of welded steel—a fusion of art and industrial craftsmanship.

This remarkable figure is the work of John Petts, a highly regarded Welsh artist known for his stained glass and mosaic works. In 1967, Petts was awarded one of the first Winston Churchill Fellowships, allowing him to spend six months travelling across the United States and Mexico to study modern welding techniques used in art. During this time, he visited the workshop of American sculptor Robert Fowler in Houston, Texas, where he learned to apply these industrial techniques to his work.

Upon returning to his studio in Llanstephan, West Wales, Petts began work on the Gorseinon Christ figure. Using the skills he had acquired abroad, Petts meticulously constructed the sculpture out of steel. The entire figure was crafted using oxy-acetylene welding and Silfsteel No. 11 welding rods, providing the precision and strength needed for such an intricate design.

Petts began by creating a full-scale cartoon drawing, outlining the exact size and shape of the figure in relation to its intended placement on the church wall. He then built a simple steel armature using 1″ x 1/8″ flats and 9″ rounds, serving as the final figure’s skeletal structure. The welding process was slow and deliberate, as Petts meticulously joined the steel rods to form a delicate meshwork that would become the body of Christ.

As Petts worked, he closely examined how the light interacted with the welded steel. His goal was to create a figure that would not only hold its form but also reflect light so that it appeared almost ethereal. This is why the Silfsteel No. 11 rods were essential—they provided clean, precise welds that could be easily shaped and polished, giving the figure its distinctive glow.

The finished figure of Christ stands as both a religious icon and a modern artistic achievement. By using welded steel, Petts created a figure that is grounded in industrial technique and imbued with spiritual significance. The use of steel, a material associated with strength and resilience, adds a layer of symbolism to the figure of Christ, reflecting His enduring presence in the hearts of the faithful.

John Petts’ Christ in Welded Steel is a perfect fusion of faith, art, and industrial craftsmanship. By embracing modern welding techniques, Petts created a religious icon that captivated worshippers and demonstrated steel’s boundless possibilities as a medium for artistic expression. Through the use of Silfsteel welding rods and the careful application of oxy-acetylene welding, the figure of Christ continues to inspire and stand as a beacon of both artistic innovation and spiritual devotion.