Assignment EP 3 : Reflective Journal

Assignment EP 3 

Reflective Journal

The research that I have undertaken so far has directed my thinking and is continuing to lead my practice into a totally different direction.

My experimental practice was also led by my research and will continue to be a learning process with the acquisition of new skills. My initial ideas around ‘Reliquaries’ led me to initially think about possibly making my own Memory Box. I looked into making a maquette and found a way to construct an onion dome, which is pictured below.

My Design for a Memory Box

An Early Design for my sculpture

As I delved deeper into my family history and found the historical link to lace manufacture then the idea of designing a sculpture became apparent. Whilst researching during my BA course I became aware of an American artist, Cal Lane. She cuts lace patterns into ‘found’ and every day objects as a way of turning the mundane into beautiful objects. I also want to incorporate the beauty of lace into metal. My concept is about the loss of our industrial past and a way of resurrecting my ancestors.

Wheelbarrow ⓒ Cal Lane

My first attempt at Plasma Cutting

I have discussed my concepts and designs at length with Joe Currie, the college’s highly skilled sculptor and large-scale metal technician. He has given me lessons on the Plasma Cutter and invaluable advice. My first task was to drill pilot holes in metal to enable the Plasma cutter to cut accurately. The Plasma cutter is an electronic device, which uses an electrode to melt the metal and compressed air to blow through leaving a thin cut. After a little practice I soon managed to cut several rectangles fairly accurately.

My first Plasma Cut piece

My next task was to attempt to cut a lace pattern in a larger piece of steel. The main difficulty I have found is being able to see the design whilst wearing a welding helmet, which is necessarily tinted to protect the eyes. Scribing the design onto the steel was not effective; neither was using chalk to mark the metal. Eventually I had to use a marker pen, which I could see well enough to guide the cutter.

My Lace Design using the Plasma Cutter

Again pilot holes had to be drilled for each area to be cut. After a few minutes practice I was able to use the Plasma cutter well enough to know it will be the tool of choice for my project.

It Casts Beautiful Shadows!

My design for my sculpture piece is evolving alongside my research and collaborating with Joe, whose advice and expertise are invaluable, is an on-going process. Joe is planning a Sculpture Garden at St Luke’s Hospice, Plymouth during the summer and is very keen for my work to be there.

Drawing showing Lace Machine Bobbins Ⓒ Sheila A Mason

Maquette

I have started to incorporate the design and shape of Lace Machine bobbins into my sculpture and have made a maquette of this to enable me to see the possibilities. I am also working on my own Lace Designs to be incorporated into my sculpture.

My own Lace Design Drawing

Another of my Lace Designs

To be continued...

Bibliography

Mason, Sheila A. (2010 rev ed) Nottingham Lace 1760's-1950's Stroud, Alan Sutton Publishing Ltd

Cal Lane  [online] accessed 10th Jan 2012, available from: http://www.callane.com/