These tabletop pieces are cold forged by hand, using a ball hammer on a very old anvil originally used for coach work.
Each object has been hit 15000 to 27000 times to give a unique sparkling hammer finish.
Metals used are 2mm black steel for the Stingray, Snail, Penguin, Platypus, Swan, Fish, Triple and Molar.
1.2mm 316 stainless for the Scallop, Pod and Abalone shapes.
The black steel pieces are coated with a wax to inhibit oxidisation while the stainless steel dishes are dishwasher safe.
Gerhard's work has always had a strong sculptural element.
His use of 3 dimensional curves is unique and springs from his deep connection to the tactile qualities of nature where ever he comes in touch with it.
Materials are cast concrete, terrazzo, laminated cardboard, aluminium, steel, stainless steel, cast aluminium, cast stainless steel, various foams, resins and fibreglass.
Gerhard has designed and made street furniture, interior and exterior seating since 1996.
Materials range from upholstered, shaped foam and steel frame to wood, powder coated steel, cast and sandblasted concrete, cast and polished terrazzo with stainless steel, and combinations of all these.
Salamanca Arts Centre first commissioned Gerhard to design, manufacture and install a sliding gate for their Kelly's Sculpture Garden in 2002.
Two private commissions followed in 2011 and 2012.
The door to match the gate to Kelly's Garden was later commissioned in 2013.
Always fascinated by the polished marble chips embedded in cement and the versatile applications of terrazzo, Gerhard first used this material at the Moonah Post Office seating in 1998, commissioned by Glenorchy City Council.
The late terrazzo master Sandy Cerone made the 3 tables for Moonah P.O. in the fibreglass mold Gerhard provided.
Since then Gerhard developed his own style of terrazzo using local aggregates and various casting and polishing techniques.
