Plate armor, historically developed in the Middle Ages for battle protection, is also recognized as an art form. In the 21st century, metalwork artist Jeff de Boer constructs suits of armor for mice.
Artist Background and Development
De Boer's interest in armor began during his childhood after observing a suit at a museum in Calgary. Over a period of nearly four decades, he has established a career in fine art, focusing on miniature armor.
His early interest encompassed both the aesthetic and functional aspects of armor. De Boer has stated, "Armor is like one of the first evolutionary defenses against the hostile world. I mean, whatever amoeba has slightly tougher skin can go into hotter water. If you have an exoskeleton, you can survive the bite of some other monster."
Growing up, de Boer spent time in his father's sheet metal fabrication shop, where he constructed some full-sized suits of armor. He later studied jewelry making at art school. During this period, he recognized that creating armor on a smaller scale, specifically for mice, would allow for quicker project completion.
Regarding his initial presentation of a mouse armor piece, de Boer recalled, "I just remember handing that mouse in, and the teachers were silent. And they said 'Jeff, I don't think you have to worry about making jewelry anymore.'" This led to his first commercial exhibition while still in school, which facilitated further sales and commissions. While he still produces occasional jewelry or sculpture, his primary career focuses on mouse armor, including some pieces for cats.
Artistic Motivation and Themes
De Boer addresses common inquiries about his work, stating, "You get those messages on social media. It's just like the big why. Why? Well, you know — why make anything?"
He identifies themes explored through his work, such as the concept of the underdog, the need for protection, and the dynamics between power and vulnerability. De Boer has expressed identification with the "little guy" perspective, linking it to the mouse. He muses, "The idea that the mouse could find an edge, that it could put on a suit of armor and go out there. And maybe make a difference – I think that is what we are all dreaming about. What would be all of our personal armor these days? And what would be our quest?"
The miniature scale of the armor allows de Boer to incorporate diverse design elements from various cultures, including armor traditions from Scandinavia, India, and Japan. He noted, "The nice thing with mouse scale is that you get to do a whole lot of neat things. You get to explore all of the different cultures, all the different forums, and just modify it and compress it." De Boer clarifies that the armor is not intended to be worn by actual mice.
Teaching and Student Perspectives
De Boer also conducts classes on mouse armor construction, instructing students on techniques such as mold creation, metal punching and shaping, forging, and soldering.
At a recent master class at Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle, students included Thiago Vidotto, a video game designer. Vidotto aimed to learn real-world construction techniques to enhance the realism of his virtual armored characters. He explained, "To make something real when it's digital, it needs to have imperfections, 'cause nothing's perfect. So you have to learn where you can add the distress, where it could be a problem."
Another student, Laurie Raubacher, enrolled to improve her metalwork skills and expressed appreciation for the unique subject matter. Raubacher commented, "I really appreciate the whimsical nature. Like, it's just there to be enjoyed."
De Boer's stated aim for his work is to provide enjoyment and inspiration.