Module 2: Form and Armature

Task: Exploring structural form through wire armatures

In this exercise I carried over the concept, materials and direction of the prior module with the recycled and deconstructed dolls. After dismantling the indvidual dolls for parts, I used wire as an armature to bind them, along with plaster bandage to secure the form. To give the sculpture more volume I used gyprock, though I probably would not use it again in future as when not applied flat and thin, it tends to crack as it dries. The resolved work explores the dysmorphic anxiety that comes from having your cultural and social identity reduced to your physical form. The abjection is an attempt to drive away the male gaze.

Task: Exploring form through plaster and clay

One of the objects I considered using for Module 1 was a secondhand headblock used for wigs. This block became a template for plaster-bandage masks and facial moulds for plaster of paris. The facial moulds were initially intended as bases to build clay venetial/clown masks. While I did use one to this purpose, there was a happy accident with 2 of the moulds. I lined the plaster with glad wrap, however this caused fissures and folds in plaster cast which had a fantastically abject appearance. The plaster casts did not end up being resolved works, but the clay masks were implemented into resolved works.