Slab Building - 19.10.23

Experimental Statements

The brief was to create slab forms that could be sharp and angular as well as been softer and more organic.I stated by rolling out clay and letting it become leather hard before I could start constructing forms.

Slab-building Brief (Part 1)

I build a slab form approximately 20 cms in height with a 10 cm base using a ‘mitred ‘ joint. After a bit of practice the mitre joints seemed to join together as shown in the images.I have previously worked with wood so found perfecting a perfect joint from leather hard clay quite challenging!

Build a cylindrical slab built vessel with a diameter of no more than 20cms and a height of 15 cms.

I found building the cylindrical slab built vessel from ‘leather hard ‘ quite challenging as the clay didn’t want to bend without cracking. Smoothing and wetting the clay seemed to resolve initial cracks.

Slab-building Brief (Part 2)

Using the experience gained so far from experimenting with the clay and creating different textures I crated a slab built , lidded box .I tried to create more of an organic feel by layering on torn clay imprinted with bark impressions. Reflecting on the end form it still felt quite an industrial due to the sharp angular corners..it was almost like the layers of torn clay were creeping up the surface of the box almost like a form of ivy.

Conclusion

I would like to experiment with slabbing to create different freeform and sculptural pieces. I should have used soft slabs to create the cylindrical shape. When I make another lidded box I will make the box as one form then slice the lid from the form as mitred lids provided challenging!