NumbSkull.

Well hello there,

My name is Dan and I am a budding artist/sculptor, currently studying at Wolverhampton university and reaching the end of my final module. One of my major interests is the sport of bodybuilding and this module I have aimed to create a series of work that incorporates bodybuilding into my sculptures whilst also light heartedly pointing out modern issues in a satirical way.

Each blog I intend to show and talk you through my thought process and the creation of each piece.

The first being a model called Numbskull...

 

This image is the original sketch that began the concept of numbskull. The sketch represents the stereotypical idea that brains and brawn are mutually exclusive traits. fair enough some people may choose dumbbells over the books but they are just the part of the majority who never bothered to pick up a book in the first place.
basically I completely disagree with this stereotype,  if some one has the initiative to want to better there strength and health through exercise then clearly they realise the importance of healthy living.

A muscular arm holds up a skull or numbskull if you will, as you can see there is more going on in this pic but this was a first sketch and just doodling other possibilities.

 

Once I have formed an initial idea I then set about braking It down into different studies which allows me to understand the different dimensions of the idea. for example with Numbskull I had to begin a study of hands to learn just how they work and move into different positions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then I did a similar study with the arm and in particular the bicep which is the primary muscle in the particular movement. Modelling a realistic looking bicep and hand is crucial to this piece as I intend to create a juxtaposition with the skull. Making the arm and hand realistic and the skull being very much a humorous animated aspect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Now that all the elements of the piece have been decided up on and I am confident I have a clear image in my head of what I am going to make I set about the business of making. I build with a pinch coil hybrid technique using 20% grogged terracotta clay.

 These are pic of the final model which is currently drying out before entering the kiln. making the hand and arm Realistic proved more difficult than anticipated but after a battle with the clay I feel I achieved what I had set out to.

 

 

 

 

 In this finished piece I particularly like the use of my juxtaposition using a realistic hand holding a somewhat animated skull. This brings humour to what may of otherwise been a needlessly far too serious piece.