This week I removed the first casts from the moulds. They are perfect in terms of shape and their lack of bubbles.
Unfortunately the resin has yellowed which could be something to do with the thickness of the cast, the batch of resin, the speed of the catalyst, or all of the above. I am going to call the suppliers in the morning to discuss.
Next: I am meeting with another GSS artist tomorrow to discuss a metalwork lesson in order to make a start on the support. The first will be a flat structure held at a remove for the wall, almost like a bed/plinth.
This is mostly a picture-led update.
This week I met with Alys Owen, a fellow artist at GSS and experienced casting technician for a refresher lesson in silicon mould making.
Alys was a great tutor – she ‘got’ the project immediately and explained each step of the fairly complex process clearly. The following day I made a mould without supervision. Casting in this way is something I can actually see myself doing going forward. There is something quite mediative about the very detailed process.
I will update later on the (final) resin pouring stage.
In the last blog I described the development of jewellery-like supports for a ‘primary, sculptural object’ that would take the form of a body plan of a human, but be made up of “elements of objects that support the management of the body: pharmaceuticals, containers for oils and lotions, rubber dial pads, plastic water bottles, etc.” I have been making these ‘primary’ objects over the past month in the studio.
When making them I have been thinking about particular women I admire in order to form their shape and make a decision about materials. This imbues the objects with a kind of power as if they were a totemic symbol. In addition, I have been researching the types of objects used to make worry dolls, necklace charms (jewellery again) and fertility symbols. My daily practice is different in that it now involves searching for materials on the street, in corner shops or online.
This bricolage/imaginative approach is an unusual way of working for me and took some time to get into. My studio is now a mess. But I am pleased by the strange character of some of the objects I have made so far.
Next: On Thursday I am meeting fellow Glasgow Sculpture Studios artist Alys Owen for my first resin casting session. We will cast one of the ‘women’ then.
