Work with a variety of materials, such as clay, wire, wax and wood to explore sculptural themes and forms. Through a series of exercises and taking inspiration from two models, the surrounding South Downs landscape, sound, music and your own emotions, experiment with how materials can express these ideas and forms. There is time to explore further in your chosen area.
The College has a rich surrounding landscape which has influenced many artists. You will explore three-dimensional form in response to six different influences, including the landscape, reclining figure, the portrait head, music/sound and your own emotions, and to explore a variety of sculptural materials in the studio and as sculptural sketches in the field. On the landscape day, you will need to be able to walk a gentle 1.5 miles in the countryside on decent walking ground. Through a process of structured exercises and experimentation, you will extend your field of enquiry perhaps what excites you most to develop a longer sculptural study and perhaps a larger sculpture (up to 24 inches).
Simple, single, sculpture materials provide a means of creating sculptural form without unnecessary visual complication. You will begin working with clay, plasticine, wax, wire, soap and balsa, assessing each material for its qualities until you find one to pursue your longer study. You will make at least six small sculptures (6-9 inches in size) in six different materials and discuss together the groups different responses. The tutor will then support you as you develop a longer study from one of these pieces or a developing idea.
By the end of the course, you will have gained an appreciation of six sculptural materials and their use for modelling/building up and reduction/taking away from the block, where appropriate. You will also have an understanding of some of the sculptural qualities which contribute to strong form, and an ability to judge yours and others' work whilst being within your supportive sculpture studio environment and community.
Summer School Highlights
The Summer School week is an immersive learning experience with more time to develop your creativity and embrace opportunities for creative development beyond your chosen course. A detailed timetable for your Summer School week will be given to you on arrival. This will include:
- Short inspirational talks by tutors and displays of their work
- A short creative experience session in another discipline/media or course
- An optional evening at the Chichester Festival Theatre (discounted if pre-booked through West Dean)
- An optional lunchtime tour of West Dean Gardens, the historic rooms at West Dean College, or West Dean Tapestry Studio
- A celebration dinner on the last evening themed on Fantasy and Myth. Feel free to respond to the theme if you wish
- Informal end-of-course group reviews and displays of students' work in studios
All lunches and evening meals are provided for residential and non-residential students during summer school due to planned activities/events in the early evenings.
