An interview with Heidi, the artist who created coins depicting ancient Egyptian gods.

Many enthusiasts love collecting coins and official currency of their country, but some countries have had a profound impact on world history due to their ancient civilizations, which has led foreign mints (and sometimes even countries and governments) to design coins inspired by the history of these ancient civilizations. Egypt is one of these countries.

Two of these unique medals were recently celebrated, one of which was photographed “The god “Osiris“ Another piece was shaped like a pharaonic mummy. The magazine “Al-Muqtani Al-Arabi” noticed the interest of many enthusiasts in these pieces, so we decided to contact the artist behind these wonderful designs. This was the interview with the famous sculptor “Heidi Westwaite”:

 

Madam, first of all, we would like to welcome you to “The Arab Collector” magazine, a leading free electronic magazine in the field of hobbies. I would also like to express my personal admiration for your artistic talent and your style of presenting topics from Pharaonic history on modern coins.

Welcome! First, I would like to record my great happiness at conducting such an interview with a magazine that addresses the Arab and Egyptian public, and I am honored that an Egyptian like yourself shows interest in my personal presentation of his ancestors’ civilization.

That's great... "Heidi," as far as I know, you are an American artist, so what attracted an American girl to the Pharaonic civilization in this way that made her decide to release a whole collection that embodies Pharaonic art with a modern vision?

Hmm, I knew you'd ask a question like that, so let's see: I am indeed very influenced by ancient Egyptian sculpture, specifically its clear, strong lines and the simplicity of its details, which makes Pharaonic designs distinctive from afar. In addition, the stories of Egyptian history and the myths of the gods help me to be creative and imagine drawings and situations. The first time I saw Egyptian art was through an old issue of National Geographic magazine that my parents gave me when I was a child, and I fell in love with this civilization instantly! Later, I spent countless hours at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York studying the origins and techniques of Pharaonic art.

It sounds like a really exciting journey. Could you tell us about your history as a professional artist and what it takes to become a coin designer?

You're most welcome. As a child, I loved drawing and painting. My beginnings were at the Sunshine Mint in Idaho, where I worked for 11 years. Besides designing coins, I also carved and prepared the minting dies, but now I focus more on the artistic aspect of production. The most important advice I can give in the field of sculpting is to be prepared to learn outside of school, as there are no schools for learning coin design. Also, a deep passion and love for art is essential, as it's not a financially rewarding profession, but it's a source of pride to see one's work in the hands of enthusiasts who appreciate it.

And today? Where is Heidi?

Today, I work as a sculptor and designer of coins and medals, a profession I've pursued since 1987. Besides coins, I've also sculpted large statues in the past. Incidentally, many may not know that this isn't my first foray into designs with Egyptian influences. I previously designed tokens featuring Pharaonic motifs for a nightclub in Las Vegas, and interestingly, these pieces are now considered rare, sought after by many collectors!

Undoubtedly, your previous experiences have benefited your latest designs! Besides Egyptian art, what other art forms are dear to the heart of the artist “Heidi Westwaite”?

I love Italian and Polish art too – a strange mix, don't you agree?

That's true! Well, let's talk about these pieces specifically. Can you describe to the readers of "The Arab Collector" the journey of designing one of your medals?

My happiness was indescribable, of course, when I was asked to design a set of medals based on stories of ancient Egyptian gods. However, I didn't want to simply copy or imitate well-known artifacts; instead, I preferred to use my imagination and personal style to create designs that were both modern and exciting. Deciding on the theme for each coin is usually the most difficult part, followed by months of research, study, and sketching. Finally comes the stage of sculpting the design, which, for me, is the most enjoyable part, yet it only takes a few weeks! 

You mentioned that you produced medals with an Egyptian flavor in the past, so are these pieces from the same collection or are they a new collection?

These two pieces are actually part of the same collection of Pharaonic-themed pieces that have been released over the past few years, representing Egyptian deities and figures such as Queen Cleopatra and the gods Anubis, Sobek, and Khnum. The entire collection is produced by a private mint called Provident Metals, and I had the honor of designing them all. This year, we decided to release the Osiris and Mummy designs.

Is the group complete in this way?

 Not yet! There are at least two more pieces after “Osiris” – I have already finished one of them, but I cannot divulge its secrets yet, we must be patient until it is released! After that, it is up to the fans, if these pieces are also successful, we will start planning for subsequent pieces.

You've piqued our curiosity! When do you think the next installment will be released?

Actually, I would have liked to set a precise date for you, but this whole matter is in the hands of the Mint, not mine! 

Heidi, are the technical details of the release among the factors that influence the success of the piece from an artistic standpoint?

This is true. Firstly, these pieces are made of silver, which is a soft element that can fully absorb the design. Secondly, these particular pieces are issued weighing 2 ounces (about 62 grams), which allows me to use very deep engraving methods in addition to using high elevations in other parts of the design.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to learn about your work and art. The Arab Collector wishes the Egyptian medal collection continued success. Finally, we will stay in touch and share readers' questions and suggestions with you.

Thank you very much, and I won't hide from you that I am happy with your interest in my work.

Most of us love collecting the official coinage and medals of our own countries, however some countries' ancient civilizations have had such a profound impact on the history of the world that some mints (and ocassionally foreign governments) would design and produce medals inspired from those ancient civilizations, one of those countries is Egypt.

Recently two amazing medals were produced; One depicting the ancient god Osiris and another with a design of an Egyptian mummy. The Arab Collector magazine noticed the growing interest around these two beautiful medals and was determined to speak to the artist behind the production, her name is Heidi Wastweet.

Heidi, before we begin we just wanted to welcome you and thank you for accepting to hold an interview with The Arab Collector, the foremost magazine dedicated to Arab numismatics around the world, I also wanted to put on record my personal fascination with your work, particularly how you depict ancient Egyptian themes on modern medals.
So kind of you! It is very flattering that someone who is Egyptian is interested in my outsider interpretation of your culture. I'm happy to answer your questions!

Fantastic, so Heidi, I understand that you're an American medal artist, what attracted you so much to pharaonic art that you decided to create an entire series of modern Egyptian-themed medals?
Hmm, I had a feeling you'd ask me that, Let's see… well obviously I'm greatly influenced by ancient Egyptian Carving. I love it's clean lines and economy of detail which makes it bold and easily visible at any distance. The creativity of the mythology makes my imagination soar. I first saw it in the National Geographic magazines that my family got when I was a child. I dream of going there but not gone yet. I have spent countless hours in the Egyptian collection at the MET museum in NYC.

Sounds like a truly intriguing journey, can you tell us more about how you became a professional artist and what's required to be successful at it?
Certainly! I got my start at Sunshine Mint in Idaho and worked there for 11 years. I had no former experience in medals but was already dedicated to the arts in painting and drawing. I soon fell in love with medallic art and eventually stopped painting in order to focus on sculpture. At the mint I was also a die engraver but now that I'm independent I can narrow in on just the art. Being a medal artist requires one to be willing to learn outside the classroom because there are no schools that teach it. It also takes great passion because it is not particularly lucrative. I spend most of my days working alone but fortunately I don't mind solitude. Ultimately it is a rewarding career.

And now? What does Heidi focus on in her career?
Well, I've been working full time as a medal artist since 1987. I also have done large public art sculpture and fine art studio work. (which can be seen on my website wastweetstudio.com) I have not done many Egyptian theme coins but many years ago I did a series of silver gaming tokens for Luxor in Las Vegas. They have become rare now and have become a collectors item.

So your new creations must've benefited from your previous experience then! Apart from Egyptian art, do you have any other favorite influences?
I'm also heavily influenced by Italian and Polish art. A strange combination isn't it?

Indeed it is – OK let's talk about these new medals specifically, can you explain the journey from creation to production to our readers?
I was thrilled when I was asked to design a whole series of coins based on Egyptian gods. I did not want to try to copy or imitate the ancient work but to use my imagination and my style to make something new and exciting. Coming up with the idea is the hardest part and the sculpting is the most fun part. It takes months of research, thinking and sketching (during which time I'm juggling many other projects). The creation of plaster models takes just a few weeks.

You mentioned that you had created Egyptian inspired medals in the past, are these part of the same set or is it a new set entirely?
These two belong to the same set that includes Egyptian gods and characters and has featured Cleopatra, Anubis, Sobek and Khnum. The series is minted by Provident Metals and I've had the pleasure of designing them all, this year we introduced Osiris and the mummy.

And is the set now complete?
Not yet! We are hoping to do at least two more after that as long as collectors are interested and I have finished the next in the series but it is still under wraps so I can't reveal it yet.

We're very excited now – when do you think the next one will come out?
I wish I had a timeline for you but that is up to the mint.

Heidi, we were wondering, do the technical aspects of a coin have any impact on the success of the design?
That's very true, this series has a lot for creativity and because they are 2 ounces of silver I can use a combination of raised and incused carving for an ultra high relief medal.

Thank you so much for allowing us to peek into your creative thought. The Arab Collector wishes you all the best and we will share with you any further questions our readers may have.
Thank you too, It is really meaningful to me that you felt I represented the culture well.