Scaling Up Funghal/Cell Like Forms

Scaling up comes with specific challenges, how to support a piece during making, how to manage the moisture levels in the different component parts, how to manage the ovoids to ensure air escapes and proper drying occurs,

I used some larger plaster formers to make the bottom sections, I then chose to mix up a combination of elements incorporating ellipse forms, spheres, hemispheres and discs. I wanted to use a white clay body for this piece so chose to use Ashraf Hanna as it has a lovely white colour when fired and is a grogged stoneware so would be more forgiving when forming the larger elements.

I used a similar construction process for the components that I had made on my red piece, a made up a vinegar paper slip for the joints, used a potters wheel to create the collars/joining sections. I decided to cut out a circular section from one of the balls to create a concave space and reinserted the disc of clay to make the shape. 

The large spheres were constructed using two joined hemispheres, I then reinforce the join with a coil, and then use a technique called Dorodango - the Japanese art of polishing dirt, I used the open top of a circular glass jam jar to smooth and even out the surface. Ensuring the clay sphere is firm enough to handle and take the pressure, the glass jar is repeatedly rubbed over the sphere in a circular motion to remove raised areas and even out the surface. All the elements are then wrapped in plastic and stored on foam cushions to prevent them from flattening out.

During this make I started to really doubt myself again, I was struggling to work out how to construct the piece and made all the components but they remained wrapped up and unassembled. I also started on a black piece as I wanted to make a sculpture that was a series of connected ellipse shapes rather than full spheres and hemispheres. I think I had realised that the larger scale of the white  piece had some issues. I was at this stage still very focussed on a 'complete piece' and that the surface would remain pure white or black,