Boris Kramer

Boris Kramer was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1969.  His father, Richard Kramer, was an artist and blacksmith.  Boris first learned about metal and art through his father.  After completing post graduate studies in Fine Arts and Renaissance History, he committed his future to art.  For Boris, art must touch not just the mind but the heart also.  Boris’ sculptures have a home in numerous corporate and private collections and can be found in the many galleries around the world.  Each sculpture is hand formed, using methods of both modern and ancient blacksmithing or glass throwing.  No two pieces are alike.  Sizes range from 10 inches to monumental.  Special requests are welcome, such as specific configurations of Family, or an addition to your existing Family sculpture.

Boris Kramer makes works of art that generate an emotional response.  Whether indoor or outdoor, they continue to make an impact in private and corporate settings.

ARTIST STATEMENT

“I am a sculptor. I heat and hand forge metal until it gives form to expressions of human energy as it engages and relates. When heated, metal is extremely forgiving, that's why I choose it as a medium. Through it, I explore the forces that draw us together and that separate us from ourselves and each other. Having experienced both great tragedy and joy in my own life, I want my art to sustain relevant and meaningful encounters.” Boris Kramer was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1969. Through his father, he learned blacksmithing techniques by osmosis; at home, art and metal were part of daily life. In 1995, when he completed a degree in Fine Arts at McMaster University, he committed his artistic future to metal and joined his father at the forge.

As his influences, he cites movements as diverse as racism and impressionism and states that, for him the forging process is the seeking of form in a balance that supports its own meaning. Although he shares, with his father, a fascination with human relationships, Boris has clearly developed his own distinct vision and his own unique style. Boris has shown his artwork in galleries in Canada and the United States. His sculptures have a home in numerous corporate and private collections and can be found in the many galleries around the world that carry Kramer Sculpture.

MATERIAL

Low carbon steel, often referred to as "mild steel" or "hot rolled" is best for forging as it is less brittle then higher carbon steels, resulting in less breakage during forging.

PRODUCTION

A steel bar, usually round, is heated in a coal or gas fire (the forge), until it is red hot. At this point, it becomes relatively soft and malleable and can be hammered into various shapes on an anvil, using many types of hammers. This method of forging has changed little since ancient blacksmithing times, but it limits work output severely as it causes great strain on the body of the artist. To reduce some of the strain to the body, our artists use labor saving equipment to ease some of the laborious work and allow the creation of larger sculptures.

The artwork of Boris Kramer is represented by Rowles & Company Ltd., Alberta’s Corporate Gift & Art Gallery, in Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta, Canada.