|
|
 |
| ::Ceramic Work:: |
Select
a sculpture from the list at the left to view examples
of Ms. Chamberlain's work.
The Ceramic Process
Ms. Chamberlain has created over a dozen ceramic sculptures. She considers these pieces each to be serious studies in her advancement toward understanding the female nude.
Working with clay is extremely challenging, and there are many stages in correctly completing the process. Before Ms. Chamberlain can even begin her work with this medium, she must first determine whether the clay contains any air. If so, she repeatedly presses and folds it, in order to eliminate the bubbles. When this first step is complete, Ms. Chamberlain usually begins by building up the clay from the base of the structure. There is little reduction in the clay process; she almost entirely adds to the form.
At the end of each workday, Ms. Chamberlain has to ensure that her work will last through the night. It can neither be too damp, nor too dry—either of these will damage the piece. Thus, she wraps the clay in a wet cloth, followed by several layers of plastic. This process maintains the structural integrity of her work until she is ready to sculpt again.
Ms. Chamberlain continues with this labored method through the completion of her clay sculpture. Due to the inconsistency of this medium however, she usually makes major changes before finishing a ceramic piece. When she is satisfied with her results, she then must go through the daunting task of hollowing out the sculpture. This is extremely precise and delicate work, but she does it in order to protect her piece through the firing process. If she didn’t take such care, the piece could crack or explode due to the severe heat of the kiln, and the expansion and reduction of the clay therein. This firing process takes place at Clay Creations, a ceramic workshop in Santa Cruz, California. |
|
|
|
| |
|
