Creative Process
Installation
Herstory installation for HomeGround Series: Western Plains Cultural Centre
This installation is a series focussing on the history of the women of the Western Plains region. I was captured by the opportunity to look with fresh eyes at the development of communities that have grown up from the first immigrants to Australia. I have made many connections throughout the district in the course of this work, and have appreciated the assistance by these regional communities.
Bronze Process
Introduced to bronze casting as a student and fell in love with process. The immediacy of wax as a medium allowed me to explore the fragmentation and disintegration of the female form. As bodies and faces emerged during sculpting I was able to halt that process in wax.
From this point a ceramic shell is developed around the wax ready for pouring.
With the ceramic shell built around the wax sculpture, with up to 10 layers, the shells are then heated to allow the wax to be removed.
The shells are then heated again before having the hot bronze poured in to create the sculpture – an exact replica of the wax created
The sculpture is then broken out of the ceramic shell and the sprues, risers and the pour cup are removed. The sculpture is ready to be cleaned up ready for the patina process.
The sculpture is cleaned and then heated to apply the patina. A patina is made up of a selection of chemicals, the recipes of which are difficult to come by. As an artist you learn your favourites which in years to come become part of the signature of an artists work
