IIW 2027 Digital Collection Welded Art Photographic Exhibition – Portraying Symbolism

The International Institute of Welding (IIW) was formed at its first Assembly in April, 1948, in Brussels, Belgium, and will be celebrating its 80th Annual Assembly at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand, from the 18th to 23rd July 2027 during its 80th year. The IIW 2027 Digital Collection will be launched at the Annual Assembly as part of the celebrations.

The Objective of the IIW 2027 Digital Collection is to stimulate examples of Symbolism portrayed in exhibits or sculptures across welding-related areas and we stress that the exhibits are not limited to industrial representation but all examples of Portraying Symbolism are encouraged except for controversial ones such as wars, religion and political issues.

Portraying Symbolism in welded art is the practice of using an exhibit or sculpture to represent a deeper meaning beyond its literal sense. It is the hidden or abstract idea attached to it. Some well-known examples include a red rose for romance; a white dove for peace; welds as a connection, a bond and unity, or as endurance; scrap metal with recycling, transformation and second chances; an eagle soaring with freedom; amongst many other examples.

People from all walks of life are invited to participate and can download the invitation link and send their interest to participate via weldedart@iiwelding.net

IIW 2026 Digital Collection Welded Art Photographic Exhibition – Shaping the Future

Our 7th IIW Digital Collection Welded Art Photographic Exhibition has been released and we continue to be thrilled by the interest and goodwill of so many people in participating. Our 2026 theme of Shaping the Future inspired an excellent response with over 50 artists involved from 15 countries.

Shaping the Future means making intentional choices and taking proactive actions in the present that will influence and guide what happens next including building the foundations for the desired future. It is truly inspiring that both individuals and organisations have been so enthusiastic in promoting welded art to illustrate their vision for Shaping the Future through the IIW 2026 Digital Collection.

Besides individual career artists and hobby artists participating, it was exciting to have the Bulgarian Welding Society (BWS), The Indian Institute of Welding (IIW-India), Schwing Stetter India Pvt. Ltd, Kazakhstan Welding Association (KazWeld), Gedik Education Foundation (GEV), SkillsUSA and The University of Sydney involved.

We thank Chris Smallbone, Editor and Exhibition organiser, and Chris Burns, A for Art publisher, for their efforts in making the Collection so successful.

Organisations and individuals throughout the world are welcome to contact us on weldedart@iiwelding.net regarding participating in the IIW 2027 Digital Collection.

IIW 2025 Digital Collection Digital Collection Welded Art Photographic Exhibition – Progressing biodiversity

With a tradition started in 2019, the 2025 IIW Digital Collection “welded art exhibition” focuses on progressing biodiversity.

The key objective of the exhibition is to promote greater awareness among people of all ages worldwide of the need to protect the world’s life by supporting biodiversity. Biodiversity includes all the variety of life that can be found on earth, such as fauna and flora (animals and plants) and their habitat, including soil, seedbanks and water. Biodiversity is under a threat globally, and its loss is often irreversible.

The range of submissions to the IIW welded art exhibition brings out the artist’s personal attachment to biodiversity, as well as showing that biodiversity is not just about animals but also opportunities for humans, including improving their quality of life.

The IIW 2025 Digital Collection involved the cooperation and collaboration of artists and exhibits from several countries. Please enjoy and pass the IIW 2025 Digital Collection to your members, friends and colleagues.