Volume and Proportion

Week 4

Material options: plywood, wire/string, bamboo, sand, clay, paper (off the roll)

Choosing to use only plywood,

Attempt 1

The Wooden Wobble

Tracing natural swooping lines onto plywood, I created a design I liked and refined the sketch with pen.

Using a jigsaw and drill, I cut out the general shapes. I then used a Dremel power sander to further manipulate the shape of the lines.

I considered the layers of plywood greatly during the making process, as they act as topographical lines. While sanding, I purposely shaved away the wood in certain areas to make the dark meeting points of the layered plywood move in certain ways.

I oiled this piece with linseed oil to change its colour and texture.

Attempt 2

This iteration was largely identical to the first attempt, however, the plywood had three layers as opposed to five and I did not oil the second piece so that the two structures would contrast in colour.

Additionally, I spent far longer sanding this particular piece so that it's fair and smooth texture would still be apparent despite its lack of polishing oils.

Iteration III

Experimenting with position and balance, I placed the sculpture in various ways.

The foggy Brisbane morning created a very interesting backdrop for these photos; turning the disproportionate squiggles into mysterious silhouettes.

Iteration II

Experimenting with the two wooden pieces as one coherent sculpture:

To create volume I placed the two of them flat on top of one another, then, still dissatisfied with the lack of clear volume, I intertwined the wooden wobbles and allowed them to balance against each other, creating an undeniable 3D space.

Artist Research

Thomas Dambo

The Forgotten Giant Trolls (2016)

The Forgotten Giant Trolls of Copenhagen, Denmark, are scattered throughout nature walks and public spaces to encourage the people to go on adventures and seek out the curious creatures that Thomas Dambo has brought to life. These grand-scale wooden sculptures are made from recycled materials and put together by local volunteers. The friendly giants depict ancient folk stories and aim to bring joy to the explorers who find them, bringing mystic and wonder back into the modern world. I adore art with a positive social impact, and these sculptures are the epitome of that. Each one has its own personality and story, they encourage the public to get outside, be curious and learn about the beautiful local history.

Stuart Ian Frost

Skin Deep (2012)

Stuart Frost's installation in the Italian Natural Outdoor Art Exhibition is a perfect example of art that works harmoniously with the nature around it. Using almost no man made materials and taking inspiration from the natural landscape, Frost reimagines what public art should look like. Burning into the surface of existing trees is a sustainable way to make art that may not exist in it's original form for very long, but it will grow and change with the world around it. This notion is beautiful and inspiring when considering environmentalist art or even just regular sustainable art practices.