Fragile Form

While in the process of coming up with an ideas for a torso sculpture, I made some sketches and a maquette. The sculpture of my torso was first drawn from different angles in my sketchbook, showing how I want to focus on my body in a stretched position (pulling my skin). I used graphite pencils for this. I then made a maquette of this idea out of plaster strips, newspaper, a wooden block, acrylic paint, and wire. I made my form using the newspaper, tape, and wire, and then I layered plaster strips on top to create the allusion of skin carved from a rock. I wanted to play on how delicate my body appears by using "fragile"/moldable materials, but then turning them into something solid, something that can't be easily destroyed. (which is a common correlation to things considered fragile) I finished off the maquette by painting it with a light tan acrylic paint (watered down) to make it look like weathered stone. it was then placed on the wooden block as an example of how it will most likely be shown in the final version. The overall piece is supposed to convey the strength that comes with delicacy.

Final Sculpture :
I chose my torso as my sacred body part. I did so because I have had a long, not great, relationship with food and my body. The piece was made to show the strength and power I get from this area of my body. I don't see it as being fragile, or weak, but strong. This is also where the orientation comes from as the body is put on a three legged base leaning towards the side with no leg, as if the body is holding itself up. I created a base out of newsprint paper and painters tape. I then used wire to create a bone structure around the piece. Using plaster strips, I formed the bones and curves further. I finished this process by using bigger sheets of plaster strips to stretch it across the form like skin. I wanted to play on how delicate my body appears by using "fragile"/moldable materials, but then turning them into something solid, something that can't be easily destroyed (which is a common correlation to things considered fragile). I also wanted the body to look moldable still, like clay, even in its final form. Using a mixture of acrylic paints helped with this look. To create the wood table base, I cut a flat piece of wood into a square, and then three wooded dowels at different angles and sizes. The goal was for the legs to look wobbly, and as if they have little support and that was achieved. In reality the wooden base is stable and only needs three legs to function. The base was secured with screws and wood glue, then stained/gloss finished. The final piece is supposed to show the strength in delicacy.

Maquette : Roughly 5 -6 Inches H, 2-3 Inches W
Final Sculpt w/Table Attachment : Roughly 16 Inches H, 10 Inches W