Sculpture Project: Light and Made

In sculpture we were given a list of words to use to create a piece of work from. I chose the words light and made. In the previous session we were asked to bring in our favourite objects, to draw from them and create sculptures from them. I decided to continue on from this and create something based on my favourite object, a mug, featuring aspects of the words light and made.

I wanted to physically make something using my hands out of a light material. At first I tried to create a set of paper-mache mugs however when I attempted this my paper-mache creation just stuck to the mug. To overcome this obstacle I changed my approach and used plaster bandages on the inside of the mug which I covered in clingfilm. Mounting these cups made from plaster bandages on my wall I thought they were a bit plain so inspired by my object I placed teabags within them creating more interest in the piece.

Anyone for a cup of tea? 2013, plaster bandages and teabags.

Then we were asked to develop this piece. I found it amusing that my sculpture was based on an object that could hold liquid however my sculpture could not, so I explored that idea. My first idea was to create a tea set from plaster however it became apparent from 'Spoon' that it was impractical due to the amount of clay to produce a mold of a mug and removing said object from the clay.

Spoon, 2013, plaster mold of a spoon.

Then I contemplated how I can adjust a mug so that it can't hold liquid and I arrived at the conclusion to simply smash them and glue them back together in more interesting ways; thus creating, my drinking cup I and II.

My drinking cup, 2013, broken china and glue.

My drinking cup II, 2013, broken china and glue.

However I judged my work as being too plain so I added colour to my project by breaking mugs of different colours and glueing them together mismatched. I also created a video to emphasise how useless these mugs are called, Fill up my cup.

What a smashing cup of tea, 2013, broken china and glue.