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To assist those who love art & fine craft to make a purchase
or add to a beginning collection.
Fine sculpture is a staple of the art world. Many, however, mistakenly
find it to be something reserved for museums and professional
collectors. They may find it too large or delicate for home or personal
display. On the contrary, sculpture is a fine art that should be enjoyed
by anyone who appreciates emotionally rich and ascetically pleasing art.
The next time you attend an art fair or browse through an online gallery
consider a fine sculpture purchase.
Here is some information to assist you:
What is fine sculpture?
Sculptures are created when an artist carves, assembles, or molds a
given material, resulting in either a freestanding object or a relief.
The sculptor is able to combine technique with an innate ability to pour
emotion into the creation. Sculptures come in a wide array of size and
composition.
Carving is sometimes done using marble or stone. The work is physically
enduring and requires a skilled practitioner who uses complex versions
of the hammer and chisel. Wood carving also can be done with a hammer/
chisel technique or with the use of a sharp knife. Carving can produce
beautifully detailed results.
Clay modeling uses a very pliable and relatively inexpensive material
that can be built up to create detail rich sculptures, then fired in a
kiln to obtain permanent shape. New York sculptor Alacia Stubbs
explains, "Clay has been a very gracious medium for me, facilitating my
self-discovery as an artist." Sometimes painted, clay allows for optimal
creativity and versatility as seen in Stubbs botanical
pieces. At times, clay can be used to create a "mold" for use with
plaster or bronze.
Plaster sculptures start with the creation of an armature. This
"skeleton" is a rough base made of steel or hard wire. Paper or fiber is
drenched in a mixture of plaster and water and then wrapped around the
armature, with layers of the plaster mixture on top. Once dryed, a large
semi-wet piece of plaster of rough shape is then carved with sharp tools
to achieve the desired outcome. The piece can be painted or finished
with a light varnish for protection. At times, the plaster sculpture is
used as the cast for a bronze mold.
Bronze casting can be achieved through sand-casting but most often
through the lost-wax process. This process, used since antiquity, uses a
molded form that is covered with rubber and allowed to harden.
The inner piece is removed and the two rubber molds joined to create a
whole. The rubber is filled with liquified wax which is allowed to cool
and harden resulting in a replica of the original piece. Covered
in plaster, the inner wax is melted away. Finally, melted bronze is
poured into the shell. Once cooled, the plaster shell is carefully
chipped away and the finished piece is buffed for imperfections. The
process is long, precise and dependent on the size of the piece,
requires much manpower.
Wax molding is a popular sculpting method. Sigi Eurich of Sigi Jewelry
Design, San Francisco, shares her process: "A carved wax model is
encased in plaster of Paris. Once dried it is burned out in an oven. The
resulting negative mold is then used to receive the precious metal of
either [14k gold or sterling silver]." Sigi's mini-sculptures are
perfect for display or as part of her unique jewelry offering.
Assemblage/ construction sculpture is sometimes known as mixed media or
`found object' art. Objects of various construction, including paper,
wood, glass and even `junk' can be assembled in a collage-like
manner on a canvas or to create a three-dimensional object. This type of
sculpture is a relatively recent addition to the artworld, becoming
popular in the 20th century. Assemblage can be very unique with original
ideas abound.
How to care for your purchase.
Every sculpture is as unique as its materials so care instructions will
vary. Be sure to obtain care instructions from the artist, most will be
able to give you some direction based on the materials used.
Some basic instructions will apply to most sculptures.
If your sculpture is appropriate for the outdoors it is better to keep
it in a dry shady area away from constant direct sunlight. Plaster does
not fair well outdoors over time. Steel and iron may be subject to
rusting if outside or exposed to moisture so the artist may be able to
protect your piece with urethane.
Indoors, keep the sculpture away from woodstoves and fireplaces. Always
use a clean, dry and soft cloth to dust the piece, never using furniture
polish, glass cleaner or water unless specifically directed
by the artist as some finishes are sealed with a synthetic lacquer
finish. A thorough dusting and wiping away of fingerprints with a clean,
dry, cotton cloth is usually the only basic maintenance required.
Use bold lighting and background to enhance the piece and make it a
focal point. And, it may go without saying, but if your sculpture is
breakable keep it in a safe place where it can be enjoyed visually but
won't be disturbed by children or pets.
Now enjoy.
Making a fine art purchase allows you to display your emotions and
feelings for all to see. It will be become a conversation piece, an
heirloom and a source of pride. If you find the purchase process
enjoyable, attend a spring art fair or browse online for more
selections. You might find another piece to add to your collection or
perhaps choose to give the gift of art to a special person in your life.
Only some of the more commonly found types of sculpture have been
described here, for more information visit galleries such as Artists'
Heaven (http://www.artistsheaven.com)
where you can see the work of Alacia Stubbs and Sigi Eurich. For more
insight into the community of sculptors use a resource such as Sculpture
Magazine (http://www.sculpture.org).
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Shannon Southway is the Director of Strategic Relations & Quality
Assurance for E-Integration, Inc., a provider of Information Technology
products and solutions. E-Integration owns and operates Artists' Heaven,
an art emarketplace. Shannon can be reached at
shannon@e-integration.net
or cs@artistsheaven.com.
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