With this project, we were to create an abstract piece of artwork out of soap and clay, by carving the soap into an organic shape and adding clay “inside” the soap somehow. The goal was to make us more comfortable with abstract art; teach us to allow our work to “create itself”; and get us to effectively communicate the idea of inside/outside through our finished piece.
I approached this project with much more confidence than Project II, because Professor Lisa let us know it was a quicker and more artistically-freeing project. To start, I just began hacking away at the soap with my carving tools. I let the project take control and tell me where to carve, while keeping the assignment objectives in mind. Once done carving, where to add the clay seemed obvious. Overall, I think the finished work has a pretty cool look and feel. I learned that the right carving tools will give you the power to do anything you need; and I learned how to release control of a projects’ direction.
I think my project shows that I gained confidence in working abstractly; learned the power of opposite textures, and increased in my skill to create cohesion from unrelated materials/ideas. I’ve now learned what various carving tools can do; helpful/unhelpful carving techniques; and how form/color influence design. I think my finished product is well done, shows much growth in trying new materials, and shows an openness to materials dictating the works’ direction.
This was my first-time carving soap and using real artist clay. So, both of these things were definitely achievements I can add to my repertoire of techniques.
Take A Look Into My World
