SCULPTURE

SCULPTURE

 In choosing a subject for sculpture, the most important thing to consider

is the material. The substances available for sculpture are limitless.
Some of the earliest sculptures were made of bone or wood. Modern
sculpture use a variety of materials for their work. Different materials
require different methods of handling. Stone and Wood do not lend
themselves to the same subject freedom as clay. A soft medium as clay
will lend itself to a modeling technique that uses squeezing and shaping
and continuously adding to it as the work goes on.
SCULPTURE

 A hard medium like stone and wood requires the process of cutting and
taking away from the block. Modelling allows for expansion of gestures
while carving is confined to the limits of the piece of wood or stone. It
must be remembered that both the material and the method used are
necessary for good sculpture.
 There are two major sculpture processes used: subtractive and additive.
 SUBTRUCTIVE AND ADDITIVE

 The carving of stone and wood is an example of the subtractive process.

It is a process in which the unwanted material is cut away.
 Theconstruction of a figure by putting together bits of clay, or by
wielding together parts of metal is an example of the additive process.
The final result is produced by putting together smaller segments of
material
 SUBTRUCTIVE AND ADDITIVE

 Stone and wood are the two major mediums used to make sculpture by the
subtractive process. Other mediums such as soap, insulating brick and
plaster of Paris have also been used. The sculptures Ideas in the additive
process is expressed by joining or combining together small pieces of
materials. This materials may be plastic in texture like moist clay which is
molded and then subjective to intense heat to produce a ceramic known as
terra cotta or may be cast in metal or artificial stone. The materials may
also be rigid or semi-rigid such as metal wires, rods and plates which are
combined by soldering or wielding.
Availability of materials Influences Sculpture Design

 In the Philippines, we can find many local materials which have been
limited because of the seeming preference for mediums that are foreign.
Bamboo, adobe, wood, coral and marble have not been as widely as
utilized in comparison to cement, import granite, and more recently
plastic and tesserae.
 Relief and Free Standing Sculpture

 Relief Sculpture refers to figures which are attached to a ground like the
relief of “stela of akhnaten”

 Relief and Free Standing Sculpture

 A Free standing figure can be seen from all sides like the UP Oblation. It
was made by Guillermo Tolentino in 1949. It is made from Bronze and
Stone.

 Stone and Bronze

 The media most commonly used for sculpture are stones metal. Stone is
durable, resistant to the elements, fire and other hazards. On the other
hand it is heave and breaks easily. Marble is the most beautiful of stones.
It has always been the favorite material in Greece and Italy where it is
plentiful. Because of it’s hardness, it is more or less permanent. It has a
high glow when polished. Ex. The famous “Pieta” of Michelangelo. It is
made out Marble.
Pieta of Michelangelo
 Stone and Bronze

 Of the metal the most commonly used traditionally was bronze. The bronze may be solid in
small statues. Most large bronze status are hollow because using a solid metal would make the
statue very heavy and expensive. There is also a tendency for it to crack when cooled. One
disadvantage of the medium is the difficulty and intricacy in casting bronze. Another drawback
is that bronze statues may be melted for other purposes. It’s rich color and smooth texture
make it one of the most beautiful of all the media for sculpture. It also relatively light and the
figure can support itself in any positions that would be impossible on stone. In addition to
bronze, a variety of other metals is used such as forged iron, wielded steel and duraluminum.
Bronze Sculpture
 Wood

 The advantage of wood is that it is cheap, readily available, and easy to cut. It
also polishes well and gas a smooth shiny surface and beautiful color. It is
relatively light and can be made easily into variety of shapes. The Grain of wood
that can be seen, adds to it’s beauty. The carver pulpit of the san Agustin Church
in Intramuros is an example of Philippine wood carving at its best.
 Wood carving as folk art is popular in the towns of Paete and Pakil in laguna
and betis. The wood carvers of paete are known for having perfected the art of
carving “santos” from native hardwood.
 Wood

 The main drawback in using wood is that it is limited in size and burns
easily. Wooden Sculptures are known to discolor and decay easily in the
Philippine Climate.
Pulpit of San Agustin Church
 Ivory

 Unlike Wooden Sculpture, a large number of old ivory statues have

survived to the present time. The survival is due to the intrinsic value of
the material. Ivory lends itself to technical mastery. It is also popular to
ordinary craftspeople. Many statues of saints in the Philippine churches
and homes have heads and arms made of ivory. Ivory though, lacks the
vigor of wooden statues. Like wood, it also cracks. Ivory, like terra cotta,
is seldom used today. A comb, carved on both sides with religious scenes
and made of Ivory Next Slide.
Ivory
 Terra Cotta

 Very few materials are as responsive to sculpture’s hands and tools as is plastic clay. It
yields to even the slightest pressure and can be worked and re-worked until the artist has
achieved what he wants to do. Unfired clay is fragile and sculpture in this medium
would have a short life. For a more durable work in clay, the sculpture can fire the
original kiln. The result is usually referred to as terra cotta, which literally means
“cooked earth.” It is a moderately coarse clay product fired at comparatively low
temperature. It is Usually painted and coated with heavy glaze. Terra Cotta breaks and
chips easily. It is not a strong material and it cannot stand great stain or weight. Terra
Cotta nevertheless is a beautiful and versatile medium.
Terra Cotta Sculpture
 Other materials

 Thelist of materials available to the modern Sculpture has become longer.

The metals aluminum chromium ,and steel, plastic, chemically treated clay
and stone for casting in liquid form are now being used. Plastic is less
expensive for use as a casting material than metals and less fragile in many
ways. The beauty of plastic and its lightness makes it preferable to other
materials.
Other material Sculptures