(Title image)
Following on from the three Concrete sculptures I made last semester, I knew I wanted to make one on a larger scale. So I took the two boards of three layer Plywood and positioned them into a shape within my studio space that will hold the Concrete when it is setting. This is shown below along with the other prep work:
The initial shape that fitted within the space
Applying weights as though the concrete were on the boards
Rearranging the supporting bricks to provide stability to the shape
From there I took the paper cut out of the shadow that I was going to replicate and placed it onto the boards to see where I wanted the fold to go, as shown:
Fold at the shoulder
Fold at the rib cage
Fold half way down the arm
Fold at the hips
Fold at the buttocks
After looking at the arrangements I decided I liked the first the most (fold at the shoulder). From there I took the cut out and drew round it onto the plastic sheet that will be sat on top of the wooden boards, as shown:
Blue tacking the cut out in place
Drawing round it in thick noticeable pen
I then had a look through a range of different fabric off cuts and chose a variety of different textures to attach to the plastic sheet.
Arranging the fabrics
Glued down with spray on glue
Close up
Close up
Close up
Once the fabrics were attached to the sheet I placed the sheet onto the wooden structure and taped it down to ensure it didn't move around.
That was all the prep work that needed doing before the actual making of the sculpture. This took me a day to do.
Another day I started to make the sculpture, see below:
Measuring out quantities of Cement and Sand
Mixing it up using a shovel and hands
Applying first layer- I ran out of Concrete and had to mix more
Close up
First layer applied
Side view
Once the first layer was applied I needed to add the reinforcement, I had pre-cut some Steel rods but they needed bending to the right shape and laying on the first layer, as shown here:
Reinforcement- Steel rods
Left view
Right view
Layer of Scrim for added stability
Once they were added it was time to apply the second layer of Concrete....
Second layer completed
Bottom view
Upper view
Side view
I had a small amount of Concrete left over once the sculpture was finished, which I pushed my hands into:
I then left the Concrete over night to dry and harden. When I came back to remove it this is what the leftovers looked like:
I was quite surprised at how it looked and felt, it reminds me a lot of Craft Crank Clay once it's been fired. The colour and texture is because I used a 50/50 mixture of Cement and Sand, which is much higher levels of sand than ordinary concrete. I must say I really like this percentage of sand, it made it easy to mould when wet and I think it has an interesting aesthetic when dry. Here is the sculpture:
Set sculpture
Close up of texture
I then had the difficult task of removing the sculpture from the wooden boards without damaging it. I had underestimated just how heavy this sculpture is.... all I can say is I had a very bad back after removing it and next time will ask for help from someone.
Removed from boards
Fabric attached to Concrete, notice discoloration of blue fabric
Sculpture once fabric has been removed
Close up of texture
Close up of texture
Threads from fabric hanging on the surface
Here are the final photos of the sculpture within my space:
Front view
Upper view
Back view
Bend/curve close up
Unfortunately about a week later I noticed a crack that had formed in the side of the sculpture:
It looks as though it has cracked between the two layers, this is probably because the first layer started drying before the second. I have yet to move the sculpture into its exhibition area, so I guess I will have to wait and see as to whether the sculpture will structurally stand....
Here are the photos of this Sculpture in an Installational setting and how it will look in the upcoming exhibition:
View from low down
Overall view
Close up of overlapping shadow lines
I decided to display this Concrete work with a smaller Bronze work in the foreground to make each image look more interesting by providing an area of overlapping textures and shadows.
Thanks for reading this post.