Paper Maché Pulp Sculpture
North Lakes State College, Queensland, Australia
Junk Food Pop Art Clocks
- Grade 9
This was a unit where students created junk
food clocks using pulp mache. Students investigated the
packaging of junk food. They also investigated Pop Artists
and California Funk Art artist's work that had a food theme.
Students had to solve the design problem of representing a junk
food item as a relief sculpture that doubles as a functioning
clock. Students also investigated styles and placement for
numbers.
Justin has a cement mixer that he uses to
pulp up recycled paper. There is always paper within a school
that can be recycled. The paper is put into the cement mixer
with water and it churns it into pulp. The excess water is
squeeze out of the pulp and paper mache glue is kneaded into the
mix. The mix has a similar consistency to clay and can be modeled.
Sculpted items are slowly built up. This is a great medium for teachers who want to be environmentally
friendly and don't have a kiln.
Students sculpted around a clock mechanism that was wrapped in a
protective film to ensure a close fit. Once dry the mechanism
was remove, the film taken off and then replaced. Students
painted the clock and put hands on. This lesson was great fun!
Zodiac Sign Masks - Grade 9
This mask lesson was based it upon
students researching their own zodiac sign. I also encourage
students to explore their Chinese horoscope sign. Students
investigated both symbols representation, colors, emotions and
other characteristics and represented these in their masks. One
student, the one with the silver foil around the head with
antlers won a regional art competition and got $200 (middle row
- far right). These were made out of pulp mach and are wearable.
The masks were made by using pulp mache built upon a form and
embellished with mixed media and acrylic paint. Just says this
has been the most successful mask unit so far. Each work was
very unique and personal to the artist as well allowing them to
explore the stereotypes embedded within the zodiac signs.
Submitted by Justin
Kramer
Unit: Sculpture - Ceramics - "self portrait" See Art
Cars Traffic Jam
Lesson: Ceramic Art Cars with a message
Grade Level: High School (adaptable to middle school)
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Looking at Justin's example, I am guessing this was
presented as some kind of personal self portrait. Vicki (from Perth) knew
the story right away! "For the non-Australians, Queenslanders
are known as banana benders and Queensland is known for its beaches, surf
and the Great Barrier Reef (and bananas!)." Justin is from Brisbane,
Queensland. A USA equivalent would be Florida. Yes there are a few panel
vans!
Justin's students have made Art Cars. Pieces have
been fired and they have painted - embellished and decorated.
Here is Justin's demo as a guide. Glazing -underglazing or painting
work great
See "Traffic Jam at International Art Car day."
From Judy: Cars are hollow sculptures. My idea was to start with a
corrugated cardboard shell and do draped slab over it. Remove the
cardboard shell when clay is leather hard. You could also build more solid
and hollow out from the bottom. Bisque fire slowly to insure success (low
over night is even good for thicker sculptures). |
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From Vicki in Australia: For the US list members
the bird sitting on top is a White Cockatoo, also called a Sulphur Crested
Cockatoo. According to 'What Bird is That?, 'they are found throughout the
Australian mainland (except Western Australia, south of the Fitzroy
River), King Island, and Tasmania. While the flock is feeding individual
birds perch on the topmost branches of a high tree to act as sentinels,
giving a shrill screech to warn the flock when an enemy approaches'. They
are also great mimics and can even learn to mimic your voice - sometimes
displaying a wicked sense of humour. My grandmother had one which would
constantly call the dog - using her voice - and have the dog racing up and
down the yard.
Note: Student work
on this page is by students at Dakabin State
High School, Queensland, Australia. Justin now teaches at North Lakes
State College.
See Makio
Kawashima's site for an elementary lesson/sixth grade
Makio
Kawashima - Ecology Conscious Car
Click images for larger views. |
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