FIRE ARTIST: There’s more than one way to create a work of art, as “fire artist” Steven Spazuk has shown.
Zippo Manufacturing Co. tells us Steven uses the signature lighter in his creations. He “employs the fascinating ‘fumage’ technique, which casts aside traditional tools such as paintbrushes in favor of painting with fire.”
On Wednesday, Zippo released a new video — which can be viewed here https://youtu.be/-odU2Kf4v4A — of Steven working on his art using a Zippo lighter.
“The never-before-seen footage features Steven ‘attacking the paper’ with the flame of a Zippo windproof lighter and other fire tools, and then retouching his designs by etching patterns with natural bird feathers and blades,” Zippo stated in a press release.“Filmed in his studio in Montreal, Steven divulges how his unique artistic approach originated and his inspiration.”
According to Zippo, Steven has been perfecting his style for 14 years.
“The flame is something that truly inspires my art; once I found my way of working with fire, I knew it would become my voice and I should be committed to that craft,” Steven said. “A Zippo lighter has always been a part of my toolbox, and I also love how it can be a piece of art in itself. To me, it’s both a muse and a tool, so Zippo is a stimulating brand to work alongside.”
A limited edition windproof Zippo features Steven’s work, too, and is available for preorder.
“The innovative design positions the lighter as the ‘spark’ of creativity from which Steven’s art arises,” according to Zippo. “Much like a genie bottle, Steven imagines figures being born from the flame of the Zippo lighter itself, producing intricate, swirling clouds of charcoal shading that metamorphose into a soaring swallow.”
Steven joins a number of other artists in showcasing artwork on the Zippo, which has been a “canvas” for more than 300,000 designs in the past 85 years.
“At Zippo, we pride ourselves on continuing to push the boundaries of design, and so collaborating with Steven made perfect sense,” said David Warfel, vice president of global marketing at Zippo. “We admire his inventive approach using the flame of our famous windproof lighter!”
