Art in FocusChapter 12:
The Arts of AfricaAdditional Studio ProjectsCREATING AN EXPRESSIVE CLAY SLAB MASKYou will create a three-dimensional clay mask inspired by African masks noted for their expressive, exaggerated features and expressions. Your mask will exhibit pronounced facial features that are placed correctly. These features, combined with the expression on the face, should communicate an easily identified emotion or feeling.
INSPIRATIONExamine African masks illustrated in this and other books. Notice in particular the expressions on these masks and the way the facial features are exaggerated in order to communicate powerful emotions. Can you identify the emotions or feelings expressed by these masks? What visual clues observed in the masks enabled you to make this identification?
WHAT YOU WILL NEED- Pencil and sketch paper, 12 × 18 inches
- Clay
- Piece of canvas, muslin, or cloth about 14 × 14 inches for each student to cover tabletops.
- Two wood slats, 12-14 inches long, ¼ inch thick
- Rolling pin
- Clay modeling tools.
- Newspapers and masking tape
WHAT YOU WILL DO- Use pencil to draw a full-face mask on sketch paper. Make certain to exaggerate the facial features and the expression to give the mask a dramatic, emotional appearance.
- Place a ball of clay between the two wood slats and flatten with your hands. . Use the rolling pin to roll out a large slab with a uniform ¼ inch thickness. This slab must be large enough to accommodate the mask drawing you have completed.
- Lay your mask drawing on the slab of moist clay. Trace over the lines of the drawing with a pencil. The pencil lines will show as indentations in the soft clay.
- Use a clay modeling tool to cut around the mask. Save the excess clay to model such details as eyebrows, hair, lips, cheeks, etc.
- Use the excess clay to model such details as eyebrows, hair, lips, cheeks, etc. Remember that these features should be exaggerated for dramatic effect. Carefully attach these to the cut-out mask.
- Roll a stack of newspapers into a cylinder and tape it securely. Gently place your mask on this cylinder so that it will have a slightly curved surface and add to its three-dimensional appearance. You may want to add holes at the outer edges of your mask from which to hang raffia or other decorative materials. Holes will also be needed later if you choose to hang your mask.
- Allow your mask to dry slowly. If allowed to dry quickly there is a good chance that it will crack.
- When your mask is thoroughly dry, fire it in a kiln.
EVALUATING YOUR WORKDescribe Are the facial features of your mask accurately placed? Does the mask look like a human face distorted to express a particular emotion?
Analyze Does your mask and the features on it project outward to create a three-dimensional form?
Interpret What emotion does your mask communicate? Are other students able to recognize this emotion? What is there about your mask that helps others identify this emotion?
Judge Study your mask carefully. Do you consider it a success? Why or why not?
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