Sgraffito Narrative ProjectFor this project, we will explore creating an animal sculpture by combining two pinch pots to create a hollow form. The hollow form will be manipulated through additive and subtractive methods to create a stylized animal. The animal will be be a blank canvas for a visual narrative. The surface will be covered in black slip and through the technique of sgraffito, the slip will be scratched through to reveal the contrasting clay underneath.
A narrative or story is any report of connected events, actual or imaginary, presented in a sequence of written or spoken words, or still or moving images. Narrative art is art that tells a story, either as a moment in an ongoing story or as a sequence of events unfolding over time. |
What is the Design Challenge?
- Using the method of combining two pinch pots, how can you create a technically successful animal form (balanced, not too thick, not too thin)?
- What animal will you choose to create? What kind of animal 'resonates' with you personally, and works with the narrative inscribed on its surface?
- What story will you tell? Consider various kinds of narratives before deciding on your story: a dream, a real event in your life, a social commentary, an imagined event, etc.
- What design elements will help make your sgraffito marks unified? How will you 'weave' lines and shapes together to wrap your narrative around this three-dimensional form?
The Process
Follow along with me as I demonstrate scoring, slipping, bonding, & reinforcing two pinch pots together to form the basic shape for your animal. Although your final pod will be the full 2 lb. minimum, your first model should be 1lb. or less to experiment with.
VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Combining Two Pinch Pots Together |
Guides & ReferencesVideo on Sculpting Animal Heads:
Project EvaluationThe project will culminate with a written self-evaluation asking you to reflect back on both your process and the resulting sculpture. A self-evaluation template will be sent to you through Google Classroom. You can view a PDF of the template here.
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