InoxArt

Reece Halvorsen is an artist from Vancouver Island known for creating sculptures of trees using stainless steel. At the age of 18, Reece began a sheet metal apprenticeship that initiated his interest in metal fabrication. It wasn't until his fourth year of training that he discovered his affinity for stainless steel while manufacturing his first stainless project. After Reece received his journeyman ticket in sheet metal, a close friend came to him looking for help. Her 8 year old daughter, Zoe, was fighting an aggressive form of cancer. She was looking for a special trophy that would lift her spirits and bring positive energy. However, the sculpture would also become a legacy to the mother if the unthinkable happened. Considering Zoe was undergoing chemotherapy, which left her immunocompromised, the hospital had strict guidelines on what was allowed in her room. Stainless steel has a non-porous surface, allowing it to be easily sterilized, and rendering it incapable of harboring dangerous bacteria and viruses. 316 stainless steel was the ideal metal to work with, however the right design was still needed. Upon researching ideas, Reece read an article that stated hospital patients heal faster if they had a view of nature - specifically trees. A stainless steel tree was the perfect formula in design, medium, and meaning. After several months and prototypes, Reece was able to create a trophy that he would be honored to give. Zoe is now in full remission and is a happy, healthy young lady. InoxArt was conceptualized because of the high degree of interest in Zoe's story and sculpture. Reece's training and experience in the metal industry has provided him with the precise craftsmanship required to fabricate and weld stainless steel; whilst his artistic ingenuity brings these elegant sculptures to life. He named his studio InoxArt knowing stainless steel is also called inox steel. The process starts off with a computer-aided drawing program where the sculpture is drafted in 3-D to get precise measurements, angles, and to ensure the sculptures are esthetically pleasing. The leaf shape is designed and cut out on a high pressure water-jet table. They are then de-burred, fabricated, and either a brushed, mirrored, or a heat-stained finish is applied to produce the different reflections.​ The base for each tree can be highly customized to provide personalized designs. The trunk is created, shaped and welded into the base. Finally, each leaf is welded on individually. Although the entire process takes many days and requires delicate attention to detail, making beautiful sculptures with a unique meaning to the owner is truly fulfilling.