Connor McCool
London
The eccentric billionaire inventor Connor McCool, was known to have lived and worked in London in the years prior to the Covid-19 crisis.
Our reports indicate that he had been assassinated during the outbreak of the Covid wars.
However, anecdotal evidence suggests that one of his experiments may have gone terribly wrong, transforming the inventor and his assistants into the race of savage mutants that roam the world today.
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One of his workshops has been uncovered buried under the ruins of Buckingham Palace, our experts are cautiously studying the artifacts found within...
Artifact #kn143
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Metalwork
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Nepalese Kukri Knife​
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This item is incomplete. We suspect Connor may have been cut off from his workshop during the Covid-19 crisis.
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295 x 35 x 6 mm
Aluminium
The shape of the knife was traced onto a sheet of 6mm aluminium and cut out with a jigsaw. Files were then used to refine the shape and rough in the bevels. Emery paper was then used to remove any file marks and smooth out the surface of the knife. Progressively finer grits were used and then the knife was engraved using a rotary tool. The knife was then polished using polishing compound and a felt wheel on the rotary tool.
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To finish this knife, holes need to be drilled for the handle rivets and then, when finished, the wooden handle can be riveted to the knife.
"This ancient kikuri was likely used for ritualistic sacrifice! The engravings lead me to believe that it was ceremonial and can lead back to the ancient notion of ‘beauty’ instead of function. Hand crafted by a skilled bladesmith it is still a very deadly weapon."
Artifact #5h3a7h
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Knife sheath
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09.05.2020
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260 x 50 x 15 mm
Foamcore, (fake snakeskin) vinyl, insulating tape, black thread, acrylic paint
The knife's shape was traced and then cut out lf a sheet of of foamcore. Then two side pieces were traced and cut out using this inner template as a guide. The two side pieces were glued to the inner template. The external edges of the sheath were sanded down slightly to create a rounded shape. Fake snakeskin Vinyl was glued around the outside of the foamcore. The edges of the vinyl were sown together with black thread and then thin strips of insulating tape were applied before painting on the silver details with acrylic paint.
"Ah yes...I believe this was a container of some sort for a primitive weapon. The loop of material at the top allowed the user to attach the sheath to their belt, allowing for quick access. Of course I have all my weapons directly implanted into my body, doesn't get much quicker than that."
Artifact #h4nd13
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Woodwork
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Knife Handle​
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This item is incomplete. We suspect Connor may have been cut off from his workshop during the Covid-19 crisis.
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92 x 24 x 35 mm
Softwood
The profile of the knife handle was traced onto a piece of soft wood. It was then cut to shape with the band saw and roughly sanded with the linisher. Rivet holes were measured, marked and then drilled using the drill press.
In order to finish this the maker would likely have needed to further refine the shape on the linisher and do additional sanding using files and sandpaper. Then the handle could've been riveted to the knife and stained using a dark woodstain.
"Ancient civilisations used to believe that the making of their own hunting knives was a right of passage into manly-hood. While this theory was not popular during the 21st century, but it can still be found under certain cultures as it creates a better understanding and connection with the tool. The making of a knife handle of this difficulty would be hard to achieve and explains why this project would still be unfinished.This was a delicate art, as cutting too much off would cause you to have to completely remake the knife again."
Artifact #t001 h4nd13
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Woodwork
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Tool handle
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This item is incomplete. We suspect Connor may have been cut off from his workshop during the Covid-19 crisis.
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95 x 25 x 25 mm
Hardwood
This was turned from a rectangular piece of wood on the wood lathe. It was then sanded with sandpaper whist still on the lathe and polished with beeswax and steel wool.
In order to finish this piece, a metal ring would have been glued to the top portion and a hole would have been drilled to allow for the tang of a file or other tool to sit inside. The wood could possibly have been stained a darker colour also.
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"Back in the 21st century, biomechanic limbs were considered a thing of dreams. Artefact 4, looks like a wooden finger as a replacement in case of loss of limb. After DNA testing around the workshop, no blood remanence was found. However, with the open, exposed tools like the table saw, cutting off a finger was a high risk."
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Artifact #5t001
Metalwork
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Metal Stool
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This item is incomplete. We suspect Connor may have been cut off from his workshop during the Covid-19 crisis.
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700 x 400 x 400 mm
Square hollow section steel
Lengths of SHS were cut to size with the cold saw and paint was ground off the ends using
The sections were then welded together using a wooden jig to hold the pieces in the correct orientation. The welds were then ground down so that they were flush.
In order to finish this stool, a wooden seat would've been made. Then holes would have been drilled into the top part of the stool, enabling the seat to be screwed into place and secured to the metal frame.
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“This piece is nearly complete. The craftsmanship is especially commendable; I especially enjoy the smooth square edges the artist was able to achieve. This stool is larger compared to the others found in the different workshops. The artist probably preferred his seat to have a bit more space. Based on the reconstruction it is safe to assume that given a little more time – and if the 2020 disasters did not take place, we would be studying a finished product.”
Artifact #fru17 n37
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Fruit net monster painting
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10.05.2020
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260 x 250 x 1 mm
Fruit nets, arylic paints
Fruit nets were stretched flat and placed with overlapping edges onto a sheet of baking paper.
Another sheet of baking paper was placed on top and heat was applied with an iron. The heat shrunk the fruit nets and melted them together to form a single shape. The sides of the shape were then trimmed square with scissors. A strange eldritch monster was then painted with acrylic paints onto this colourful makeshift canvas.
"The artist known as C.McCool has made a spectacular piece using recycled materials. These materials became popular in the 2000 as climate change became a more prominent issue. McCool used the found material of fruit nets to create a textured work with a tribal aesthetic. This particular style started in the 1960’s with the unconventional ‘hippie’ lifestyle that evolved and continued. Commonly seen in rave and festival fashion around the world, specifically London."
Artifact #5cu1p7ur3
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Sculpture​
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"Hand of Nuada Airgetlam"
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This item is incomplete. We suspect Connor may have postponed the completion of this item due to an increased workload of computer based theory subjects during the Covid-19 crisis.
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370 x 140 x 60 mm
Monster Clay
Armature: Wooden dowel, copper wire, aluminium foill and masking tape
Firstly reference material was collected for visual inspiration. Drawings and diagrams were created in order to calculate the overall dimensions of the sculpture and therefore the size of the armature. The basic hand shape was then built from a wooden dowel and armature wire. Aluminium foil and masking tape were then added to this structure to add volume. Clay was then placed onto the armature and was shaped and formed with sculpting tools into an anatomically correct hand shape. After achieving a proportionate hand, material was removed in order to create the robotic, segmented look. Further detail work would have been necessary to complete this item to an acceptable standard, adding rivets, screws and wires and carving a celtic knotwork design into the back of the hand. Everything would then have been smoothed over using a brush and a small amount of methylated spirits.
According to Celtic mythology, the Tuatha de Danann—the gods and goddesses who descended from the Celtic goddess Danu—long ago inhabited the region north of Ireland. Among them was Nuada. He proved to be a fierce warrior and skilled leader, which led to him being crowned their first king. Nuada and the Tuatha de Dannan won the Battle of Mag Tuired against the evil Fir Bolg, but not without consequence. Nuada lost an arm in the skirmish. There was a strict rule among the Tuatha de Danann that any king had to be physically whole in order to rule. With a missing arm, Nuada had no choice but to give up the throne. In his absence, the evil Bres became the next king.
Some of the Tuatha de Danann went to see Dian Checht, a known healer who also happened to be Nuada’s brother, in hopes of restoring Nuada so he’d be fit to be king once again. Dian Checht went to the local smith, who forged an arm of silver. This arm was attached to Nuada, and it’s said that the healer’s powers were strong enough that Nuada could use the silver arm as if it were his own. He was thereafter known as Nuada Airgetlam, meaning Nuada of the Silver Hand.
“Such an eloquent design, this piece holds power. A depiction of an ancient Celtic myth, a warrior named Nuada, who lost his arm in battle but later reclaimed it! The tail of his silver arm is legendary, a timeless piece. Expertly executed.”
Artifact #p0474a17
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Drawing
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Upside-down self-portait​
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14.02.2020
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297 x 420 x 1 mm
Pencil and paper
This portrait was drawn from an upside down photograph in order to discard any preconceived notions when drawing faces. This helps to better understand the relationship between forms and how to represent them on the page.
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"The self portrait drawn is a style of drawing commonly used to practice structure and judgement when drawing. To separate the known picture that can be influenced by assumptions, and improve one's drawing, to draw what really is."
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Artifact #51ng13 11n3
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Single line portraits
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14.02.2020
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297 x 420 x 1 mm
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Pencil and Paper
These portraits were drawn using a single line technique, without looking down at the page. The focus was kept on the subject in an effort to improve hand-eye coordination and help translate percieved forms and shapes directly to the page. These drawing
inevitably have a unique style that would be difficult to reproduce had the maker been constantly looking at the page.
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"The style of this drawing was illustrated without the artist looking. This technique creates an abstract finishing product. "
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Artifact #Cha14 p7an
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Drafting
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Viking chair Third angle proj.
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20.05.2020
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Rhino 6
Rhino 6 was used to trace the basic shapes of the front view of the chair from a background
bitmap image. Once one half of the image was traced and perspective issues were fixed, the curves were mirrored and a complete front view was achieved. Reference lines were then drawn horizontally so that an accurate side view could be projected from the existing reference points. Once the side view was complete, a 45 degree angle was drawn along with vertical reference points, to facilitate the creation of the top view. With all 3 views complete the finished 3rd angle projection was added to an existing title block template.
“This chair is ancient! Yet has been illustrated digitally! I truly think that this file was an amazing find. The artist clearly has a fascination with works that came before… like how we are fascinated in this new material. Although this chair wasn’t found it I predict that the artist was planning to build it! What a marvelous find that would be!”