North America's largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event heads to Orange County Convention Center in October 2024. FABTECH provides a convenient "one stop shop" venue where you can meet with world-class suppliers, see the latest industry products and developments, and find the tools to improve productivity, increase profits and discover new solutions to all of your metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing needs.
North America's Largest Metal Forming, Fabricating, Welding and Finishing Event
This week we had the pleasure of speaking with Chris O’Rourke, a sculptor getting recognition around the country as the “next” most collectible fabricated fine art sculptor. Chris first attended FABTECH in 2008 — the first year the show was held in Las Vegas. He also attended FABTECH 2012 again in Las Vegas as well as FABTECH 2013 in Chicago where he displayed a piece called Family (see lead image).
What benefits does attending FABTECH bring to your art?
When I attend FABTECH the benefits to my art and soul are many. I typically see old friends, and have the opportunity to meet, face to face, with the people that I work with in the relentless/never ending search for the next tool or material type. I get to see new processing that can be incorporated into my fabrication regiment, and ask about limitations of products that I plan on pushing.
What types of equipment do you use in your work?
My work is primarily TIG welded and one of my styles is rolled and formed sheet goods. This style is usually accompanied by a computer program and water jet patterns that are then put through a slip roller before being fit and welded to each other to make the individual elements that comprise the piece.
Are you looking for anything particular at the show?
America’s Cup
At this FABTECH I will be looking at large scale horizontal band saws for a project that is in the design stages and hopefully going to be located at a park here in southern Nevada. I will also, as always, be looking at finishing tools and supplies as the finishes on my pieces are of high importance to me.
How did you start and what inspires you to continue sculpting?
As a young boy my grandfather, of German decent, showed me the rewards of working with my hands. At the time it was small wood trinkets that needed sanding and staining. In school that work ethic was carried over from wood shop to metal shop. My fascination with metal grew as I started to understand the relationship between “it” and cars and motorcycles. For many years my time as an employee and as a hobbyist was spent building custom motorcycles and all of the bits and pieces that go with them. After moving to Las Vegas in 2000 I wanted to build things that did not have to be part of a bigger picture, but could just be all on their own. It started by getting hired to do some architectural features and furnishings, which lead to creating free standing abstract sculptures that sparked conversation amongst those from many different backgrounds and demographics.
Learn more about Chris and see a gallery of his work here: www.chrisocreations.com.
FABTECH 2024
About the Expo
North America's largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event heads to Orange County Convention Center in October 2024. FABTECH provides a convenient "one stop shop" venue where you can meet with world-class suppliers, see the latest industry products and developments, and find the tools to improve productivity, increase profits and discover new solutions to all of your metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing needs.
Learn more about Chris and see a gallery of his work here: www.chrisocreations.com.
