I took a sculpture class this semester and it has been even more fun than I expected. I took it primarily to be able to use the art studios at U Iowa and also to learn some new things.
This assignment was a self portrait sculpture. The piece was to be in a characteristic pose that told something about us. I asked my brother for poses that I often make – he didn’t even think one second, but jumped up and stuck his head forward, opened his eyes really wide, stretched his hands out and said excitedly, “You know what I was thinking?” So that is the pose I used.
The materials we had to use were chicken wire for an armature and paper mache for the skin – yes I said paper mache, careful there…I can see you rolling your eyes even over the internet. While paper mache was possibly not my first choice of material, I could see right away that this was going to be a fun project because it was a chance to improve my molding skills.
At the end of the project we had a little in-class critique. While explaining my ideas, I struck the same pose as my project. One girl made me laugh because, when I made the same pose, she kind of did a double take and said it was too creepy how similar I looked to my sculpture!
![Front View](https://adifference.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/copy-of-p1010044.jpg?w=381&h=499)
Thanks Ethan, Anna, and Camden for showing up late to help me make that plaster negative of my face.
![Side View](https://adifference.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/copy-of-p1010036.jpg?w=380&h=494)
The hands and face are cast in wax from plaster molds.
![Hand Detail](https://adifference.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/p1010042.jpg?w=380&h=291)
I was really happy because I got to use my molding skills and use some new materials. The project also turned out ok and it got some good attention from students and faculty- that always feels nice.