The one hundred and twenty mass campaigners: Artistic expression in ceramic mixed media
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Date
2015-11-03
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Abstract
This work sought to depict mass movements using ceramic art. The primary aim of the
researcher was to develop and produce ceramic forms that can be used for a mass
movement either as a social movement tool or as a campaign tool. The project was
produced from refined Afari clay. In addition Acrylic paint was applied on the pieces to
enhance its aesthetic qualities. The work employed materials such as iron rods, nails, sack
cloth and acrylic paints to give a stronger meaning to mass movements. However,
because of the number of abstract human forms to be produced, a faster means of
production was explored using cylindrical pipes as moulds; which helped in producing a
good number of similar forms in clay within a short space of time. In addition, there were
projections such as the arms and necks on the abstract forms which were done using clay
as the main material. The challenge mainly arose from the need to adjust the arms of the
forms to the desired angles without breaking them. This challenge was however
overcome using the iron rods. The work used cylinder for the human shapes. Again, the
artist adapted the slab building technique of drape casting for the productions of all the
120 pieces. The artist adopted a new approach of merging metals (iron rod) with clay
prior to firing the pieces. Expansion gaps were allowed to cater for the shrinking and
expansion property of clay and the iron rods. The work achieved quality finishing
through the application of acrylic paints and non-ceramic materials. The arrangement of
the pieces can tell a story, used as a campaign tool either socially, economically or
politically.
Description
A project submitted to the Department of Industrial Art, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of MASTER OF FINE ART (CERAMICS) Faculty of Art, College of Art and Built Environment,