Prerequisite: Art 154 or instructor permission

Course Description: Explores the design and production of sculptural ceramics with concentration on the human figure.

Course Objectives: The objective of this course is the introduction of the use of clay as a medium of expression in the creation of non-container/non-utilitarian three- dimensional forms. The term sculpture can be described as any art object that is three-dimensional and is not a vessel or n architectural structure. Ceramic sculpture differs from other sculpture media in that clay forms must be hollow and have wall thickness uniformity due to shrinkage and release of water during drying and firing.

Much of sculpture from western cultures has used the human figure as the subject of study. Please be aware that life study (nude) models will be used in this course.

Supplies: A sculpture type or hand building with grog clay should be selected for this class. Students have the option to work with cone 6 or low fire (cone 06) clay. Students working with low fire clay have the responsibility to maintain segregated slurry containers and to make certain works made with low fire clay do not get into a high fire kiln. Pottery tools and misc. supplies as needed.

Projects:

1. Self-portrait. Students have the option of producing a likeness of themselves, or consider that a self-portrait can be a metaphorical description of who you are. All self-portraits will be constructed as a solid form, then cut and hollowed. Supplies may include: armature, mirror, photos of views of the head or a series of drawings diagramming four views of the form.
2. Relief study of an existing two-dimensional work of art that has a strong figurative component. The art- work will be carefully studied and a plan drawing will be produced that shows what would be seen if we stood in the painting and looked out towards the viewer. Proportions of the original work will be maintained.
3. Creation of a constructed form, suggesting or derived from the human figure, composed of multiple hand built and/or wheel thrown elements.
4. Life studies from the model. Study of proportion, gesture and sustained poses.