Lost-Wax Crystal Casting
The Crystal Sculpture Process
By Ferdi B Dick
I make each crystal piece by hand in small editions. The work is slow and exacting. Every surface is shaped, ground, and finished by hand. I use the lost-wax method to turn a 3D prototype into cast crystal. The wax is molded, invested in ceramic, burned out, and replaced with molten glass. After casting, I de-mold, cut, grind, sandblast, and polish until the form is clean and the surfaces read correctly.
Below is the step-by-step process. It shows the labor involved and why each sculpture is limited, technical, and truly handmade.
1) Create the prototype
I start with a 3D-printed prototype. It fixes the proportions and the surface flow. This model becomes the reference for every step that follows.
2) Make a latex mold and wax copy
I cast a flexible latex mold over the prototype. From that mold I pour a wax copy. Wax shows every mark, so I fettle and clean the wax until the surface is right.
3) Build the ceramic mold
I invest the wax in a refractory ceramic shell. The shell is baked in the kiln. The heat removes the wax and leaves a clean cavity that will take molten crystal.
4) Cast the crystal
I load measured crystal into the mold and fire it on a controlled schedule. Temperature and time are critical. Too fast and the piece will crack. Too cool and the details are lost.
5) De-mold
When the glass has cooled, I break the ceramic away by hand. This exposes a rough casting with sprues and kiln skin that must be removed.
6) Refine the form
I cut off sprues, grind high points, and chase details with hand tools. I remove every trace of ceramic from creases and undercuts.
7) Sand, polish, and sandblast
I go through a long sequence of abrasives from coarse to fine. Some areas I bring to a soft polish. Others I sandblast for a matte, light-holding surface. The contrast gives the form life.
8) Final inspection
I inspect the piece under strong light, correct any defects, and sign it. Only then does it leave the studio.
Themes I Explore:
Ferdi B Dick is a contemporary sculptor known for emotionally charged animal forms, symbolic characters, and visually distinctive works that move between fine art, collectible sculpture, and large-scale public art. Originally from South Africa and now based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with his company headquartered in Singapore, he works across collector editions, exhibitions, and major commissioned projects.
Exploring emotional states through animated avatars
My work delves into exploring emotional states, often using animated or symbolic avatars to depict complex feelings in a relatable, lighthearted way.
The concept of the tongue sticking out, as seen in the lion's breath yoga pose, represents a powerful moment of release—letting go of tension and finding a Zen-like state of calm.
Throughout history, sculptures have been crafted in the image of gods and heroes. These figures were idealized and revered, serving as symbols of inspiration and reminders of the values and aspirations society held dear.
My sculptures reinterpret this idea by creating talismans or icons that encourage people to pause, breathe, and be present. They are designed to evoke a sense of release, blending playfulness with mindfulness. Think of them as "happy art" with a twist—a reminder to embrace life’s lighter moments and let go of stress.
Much like the Japanese lucky cat, my icons are imbued with a purpose: to serve as focal points, attracting positivity and a sense of well-being.
Ferdi B Dick’s practice explores emotion through sculptural form. Drawing on a background in 3D animation, he creates works that feel suspended between movement and stillness, often using animals and animated avatars as vehicles for emotional expression. His sculptures balance playfulness and seriousness, turning gesture, posture, and exaggerated form into reflections on release, vulnerability, strength, joy, and transformation.
Recurring themes in Ferdi B Dick’s work include:
• emotional states expressed through animal and symbolic forms
• movement, transformation, and frozen moments in time
• playfulness combined with psychological depth
• nostalgia, memory, and childhood visual culture
• icons, avatars, and sculptural talismans
• release, breath, and the tension between control and freedom
• visually striking forms designed to resonate both emotionally and spatially
Animals appear often in my work because they let me hold emotion without over-explaining it. I am not interested in them as decoration. I use them more as carriers of breath, tension, joy, care, memory, or release. A lion, dog, owl, horse, or whale each opens a different emotional register. That gives me room to make sculpture that feels immediate, but still layered.
Read more: Interview with Ferdi B Dick: Emotional Avatars, Icons, and Release
The lion has become one of the clearest ways for me to work with breath, presence, memory, and release. It is not just a repeated subject. It is a form I keep returning to because it continues to hold emotional weight for me across different materials and scales.
Read more:
Why Lion’s Roar Keeps Coming Back in My Work
Lion’s Breath Exhibition
I am interested in the moment just before release, the held breath, the surge of movement, the instant where energy becomes visible. Sculpture gives me a way to trap that fleeting feeling in something permanent.
Read more:
A Frozen Slice of Motion
Cloud-Mane Horse, Can Air Have Weight?
I like stainless steel because it lets the surface become part of the experience. It reflects light, space, and the viewer, which gives the work a kind of living presence. It also suits the precision of the forms I design and allows a finish that feels clean, sharp, and complete.
Read more: Interview with Ferdi B Dick: Emotional Avatars, Icons, and Release
My background in 3D animation still shapes how I think. I often begin digitally, using tools like Houdini and ZBrush to develop form, movement, and structure before the work moves into physical making. That process lets me combine computational precision with hand-finished material presence.
I do not choose materials only for technical reasons. Each material changes the emotional register of the work. Stainless steel can feel alive and reflective. Crystal carries light differently. Stone gives more weight and permanence. The same form can shift meaning when the material changes.
Read more:
Crystal Sculpture Collection
Why Lion’s Roar Keeps Coming Back in My Work
I do not see collector pieces and public sculpture as separate practices. They come from the same way of thinking about form, presence, and emotional impact. Sometimes that idea becomes something intimate and close to the body. Sometimes it becomes something large enough to alter a public space.
Read more:
Large-Scale Public Sculpture Commissions
Embrace the Amazing Whale
I like tension in sculpture. A work can be highly refined and still have humour in it. It can be elegant and slightly absurd at the same time. That contrast keeps the work alive for me.
Read more: Hehe Rabbit
I am interested in presence more than size on its own. Some ideas need to live close to a person, almost like a private companion. Others need scale, air, distance, and public visibility. What matters is that the work still carries emotional force.
Read more: Large-Scale Public Sculpture Commissions
I want the work to hold something that is felt before it is explained. That might be breath, pressure, tenderness, humour, memory, or release. The form matters, the finish matters, and the scale matters, but the emotional charge is what makes a sculpture stay with you.
Read more: Interview with Ferdi B Dick: Emotional Avatars, Icons, and Release
My Practice:
Ferdi B Dick is available for selected commissions, including:
• large-scale public sculpture
• private collector commissions
• hospitality and luxury property commissions
• architectural and integrated art projects
• bespoke sculpture editions
• special presentation gifts and premium branded art commissions
Projects involving strong visual impact, symbolic storytelling, animal forms, and landmark-style sculptural presence are especially aligned with his practice.
Some of Ferdi B Dick’s best-known works and series include:
• Lion’s Breath
• Roar
• Running Blind
• dog sculpture series
• guardian lion / Foo Lion works
• Cloud-Mane Horse
• Embrace the Amazing Whale
• Hehe Rabbit
• Lucky Tiger Astronauts
• Ox public sculpture
Together, these works reflect a practice that moves fluidly between collectible objects, exhibition pieces, and public-scale sculpture.
Ferdi B Dick has exhibited in both national and international contexts, including in:
• South Africa
• Belgium
• Spain
• China
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Malaysia
His exhibition history includes gallery shows, art fairs, public art projects, and internation
Embrace the Amazing Whale (Zhanjiang, China, 9m, stainless steel, 2024). Hehe Rabbit (Taiyuan, China, 7m inflatable, 2023). Tiger Astronauts (Taiyuan, 3 sculptures, 2022). Ox (Taiyuan, 5m, 2021). He has also completed sculptures in Thailand.
Every sculpture begins as a digital model in Houdini and ZBrush. The design is refined computationally before any metal is cut. The digital model is then translated into physical form through lost-wax casting, welding, and hand-polishing in workshops in China.
Bronze Award and Most Market Value Award at the Zayton Cup International Design Competition in China (2021) for his sculpture Lina Lion Dancer.
Materials I Use:
Ferdi B Dick works across a range of collector-grade and architectural materials, including:
• stainless steel
• crystal
• bronze
• marble
• granite
• wood
His work often combines contemporary visual language with traditional craftsmanship, including lost-wax casting techniques, refined finishing, and materials chosen for both durability and emotional effect.
At the heart of my art is the commitment to creating timeless pieces, both in aesthetics and durability. Unlike much of the transient "pop" or "happy" art, which often uses materials prone to degradation. I focus on archival-grade materials designed to last for generations. My sculptures reflect an enduring quality, crafted from bronze, stainless steel, crystal, marble, and occasionally premium wood. Each finish is carefully considered to enhance the longevity and emotive impact of the artwork, ensuring that it resonates across time.
I primarily use 316 / 316L stainless steel and occasionally 304 for specific colour/finish editions.
A high-grade material celebrated for its durability and refined appearance. The mirror-polished finish creates striking visual effects, reflecting light and surroundings to produce a sense of movement and dynamism.
Durability: Resistant to rust, corrosion, and environmental factors, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor installations.
Sustainability: Stainless steel is 100% recyclable and largely crafted from scrap metal, aligning with environmentally conscious practices.
This material is ideal for collectors who value longevity and aesthetic brilliance in their art.
Bronze is a classic material for sculptural art, prized for its strength, versatility, and timeless appeal. Its capacity for intricate detailing makes it an excellent choice for capturing subtle forms and textures. Each bronze piece undergoes a meticulous lost-wax casting process, resulting in sculptures that not only endure but also age gracefully. Bronze sculptures have stood the test of time, with some surviving for thousands of years, showcasing their unmatched durability and timeless charm. The sculptures are either polished to a mirror finish or patinated in a colored finish, adding to their enduring beauty
Crystal is a luxurious material that embodies elegance, clarity, and craftsmanship. My crystal sculptures are crafted using the ancient lost-wax casting technique, a method with roots in 11th-century BC artisanal traditions. The process demands precision and skill, similar to bronze casting, but is less forgiving, resulting in pieces of unparalleled beauty and exclusivity.
Unique Appeal: Each sculpture has a frosted finish, offering a vintage charm, with vibrant colors achieved through the infusion of metals and minerals during casting.
Durability: Resistant to scratches, chips, and wear, these sculptures retain their brilliance for generations.
Every crystal piece is presented in stylish, protective packaging, making it an exquisite option for collectors or as a luxurious gift.
Marble and granite exude a sense of permanence and grandeur, connecting the artwork to classical traditions while maintaining a modern sensibility. I work with carefully selected stones, including:
- Marquina Black Marble
- Sichuan White Marble
- Guangxi White Marble
- Sesame White Granite
These stones are renowned for their durability and unique veining patterns, making each sculpture distinct.
Occasionally, I incorporate premium woods like Walnut and Beech, chosen for their rich tones and tactile warmth. Wooden pieces are crafted with precision, balancing natural beauty with artisanal skill. For smaller sculptures, I often package them in custom sliding wooden boxes, adding an extra layer of refinement.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS AND PUBLIC SCULPTURES:
2026 – Presented Wild Guest at ACCESS KL Art Fair, installing crystal, marble, and polished stainless steel sculptures inside a hotel room at KLoé Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
Wild Guest at ACCESS KL Art Fair
26-09-2025 CIMB Art & Soul 2025 (group show) - Hall 1, MITEC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
https://ferdibdick.com/blogs/news/cimb-art-soul-2025-with-art-plus-contemporary
08-07-2025 Winter Collection (group show) - Everard Read Franschhoek, South Africa.
02-07-2025 Collective Currents (group exhibition) - 4th Floor, Central Embassy, Bangkok, Thailand.
https://ferdibdick.com/blogs/news/collective-currents-central-embassy-bangkok
07-06-2025 Luminate: The Awakening of Dreams (group exhibition) - DDDArttoys Experience Store, Central: The Original Store, Bangkok, Thailand.
https://ferdibdick.com/blogs/news/luminate-the-awakening-of-dreams-bangkok
30-04-2025 A Multidimensional Encounter (group show) - Art Plus Contemporary, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
https://ferdibdick.com/blogs/news/opening-at-art-plus-contemporary-format-exibition
18-12-2024 Everard Read Franschhoek group show, Franschhoek, South Africa
19-07-2024 Winter (group show) - Everard Read Franschhoek, South Africa.
25-12-2023 “Embrace the amazing Whale” public sculpture, Zhan Jiang Garden City, China
https://ferdibdick.com/blogs/news/embrace-the-amazing-whale
11-02-2023 “Roar!” Solo Exhibition, 131 a Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa
https://ferdibdick.com/blogs/news/roar-exhibition
03-02-2023 “Lion's breath” solo exhibition, Everard Read, Johannesburg, South Africa
https://ferdibdick.com/blogs/news/lions-breath-exhibition
12-12-2022 “Super Healing Giant 'Hehe Rabbit’” inflatable Public sculpture, Taiyuan, China
https://ferdibdick.com/blogs/news/hehe-rabbit
18-12-2022 Everard Read Franschhoek summer show, Franschhoek, South Africa
https://ferdibdick.com/blogs/news/up-and-up-exhibition
28-06-2022 Everard Read Franschhoek winter show, Franschhoek, South Africa
https://ferdibdick.com/blogs/news/panda-monium-in-exhibition
13-07-2022 Winter collection group show - Everard Read Cape Town
https://ferdibdick.com/blogs/news/wagging-the-dog-exhibition
28-06-2022 Everard Read Franschhoek spring show Franschhoek
https://ferdibdick.com/blogs/news/dogs-running-exhibition
06-06-2022 Things I’d like to remember group show - Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa.
12-02-2022 “Lucky Tiger Astronauts” Public sculpture, Taiyuan, China
https://ferdibdick.com/blogs/news/lucky-tiger-astronauts
29-01-2022 3D in 22: South African Contemporary Sculpture (group show) – Everard Read & CIRCA, Johannesburg, South Africa.
17-12-2021 Summer (group show) - Everard Read Franschhoek, South Africa.
12-12-2021 Summer collection group show - Everard Read Cape Town
https://ferdibdick.com/blogs/news/over-the-rainbow-exhibition
18-09-2021 The Long Table (group exhibition) – SMAC Gallery, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
12-02-2021 “Ox” Public sculpture, Taiyuan, China
https://ferdibdick.com/blogs/news/ox-public-sculpture
03-12-2020 Summer collection group show, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa
03-10-2020 131 A Gallery group show, Cape Town, South Africa
https://ferdibdick.com/blogs/news/proteaceae-exhibition
11-09-2020 Imago (group show) - Everard Read Franschhoek, South Africa.
13-07-2020 Winter collection group show - Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa
18-06-2020 Still (online group show) - Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa.
11-05-2020 A Celebration of Fine Sculpture (group show) - Everard Read Franschhoek, South Africa.
16-01-2020 “Taipei Artfair” Artfuture, Veart gallery, Taipei
05-12-2019 Summer collection group show - Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa
28-07-2019 Self portrait group show - Glen Carlou Gallery, South Africa
13-07-2019 Winter collection group show - Everard Read Franschhoek, South Africa
https://www.everard-read-franschhoek.co.za/exhibition/36/exhibition_works/710
12-06-2019 Winter group show, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa
https://www.everard-read-capetown.co.za/exhibition/176/press_release/
09-12-2018 Everard Read Franschhoek spring show, Franschhoek, South Africa
https://everard-read-franschhoek.co.za/artist/FERDI%20B._DICK/works/709
08-11-2018 The Salon Art + Design Group Show, New York, United states
20-09-2018 “FOUNDRY PROOF”, Southern Guild, Cape Town, South Africa
https://ferdibdick.com/blogs/news/foundry-proof-exhibition
14-02-2018 “EXTRAORDINARY” exhibition, Southern Guild, Cape Town, South Africa
https://ferdibdick.com/blogs/news/i-don-t-believe-in-unicorns-exhibition